Anatomic segmentectomy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: comparison of video-assisted thoracic surgery versus open approach.
OBJECTIVE
Anatomic segmentectomy is increasingly being considered as a means of achieving an R0 resection for peripheral, small, stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. In the current study, we compare the results of video-assisted thoracic surgery (n = 104) versus open (n = 121) segmentectomy in the treatment of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.


METHODS
A total of 225 consecutive anatomic segmentectomies were performed for stage IA (n = 138) or IB (n = 87) non-small-cell lung cancer from 2002 to 2007. Primary outcome variables included hospital course, complications, mortality, recurrence, and survival. Statistical comparisons were performed utilizing the t test and Fisher exact test. The probability of overall and recurrence-free survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method, with significance being estimated by the log-rank test.


RESULTS
Mean age (69.9 years) and gender distribution were similar between the video-assisted thoracic surgery and open groups. Average tumor size was 2.3 cm (2.1 cm video-assisted thoracic surgery; 2.4 cm open). Mean follow-up was 16.2 (video-assisted thoracic surgery) and 28.2 (open) months. There were 2 perioperative deaths (2/225; 0.9%), both in the open group. Video-assisted thoracic surgery segmentectomy was associated with decreased length of stay (5 vs 7 days, P < .001) and pulmonary complications (15.4% vs 29.8%, P = .012) compared with open segmentectomy. Overall mortality, complications, local and systemic recurrence, and survival were similar between video-assisted thoracic surgery and open segmentectomy groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Video-assisted thoracic surgery segmentectomy can be performed with acceptable morbidity, mortality, recurrence, and survival. The video-assisted thoracic surgery approach affords a shorter length of stay and fewer postoperative pulmonary complications compared with open techniques. The potential benefits and limitations of segmentectomy will need to be further evaluated by prospective, randomized trials.
Schuchert
Matthew J
MJ
Division of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery, Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute, UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. schuchertmj@upmc.edu
Pettiford
Brian L
BL
Pennathur
Arjun
A
Abbas
Ghulam
G
Awais
Omar
O
Close
John
J
Kilic
Arman
A
Jack
Robert
R
Landreneau
James R
JR
Landreneau
Joshua P
JP
Wilson
David O
DO
Luketich
James D
JD
Landreneau
Rodney J
RJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted