title: VATS lobectomy is better than open thoracotomy: what is the evidence for short-term outcomes?
abstract: VATS lobectomy is an acceptable alternative to open lobectomy for treating early-stage NSCLC. Although no large randomized control trial has compared these procedures, recent large series and case-control studies provide strong evidence that patients undergoing VATS lobectomy have less pain, fewer perioperative complications, shorter chest-tube duration, and decreased length of stay. Increasing evidence supports improved quality of life up to 1 year, less inflammation, and greater safety profile in high-risk patients. More data are needed to better show an improvement in the economic efficacy, ability to more effectively administer adjuvant therapies, and benefit of robotic assistance in VATS lobectomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800679, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0679, USA.
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Grogan
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology