title: Optimal surgical management of pulmonary metastases: VATS versus thoracotomy.
abstract: Survival benefit after pulmonary metastasectomy is under question and knowledge of functional recovery after pulmonary metastasectomy by thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is of great importance. We analysed prospective data of 100 patients operated for pulmonary metastasis by either VATS or thoracotomy. VATS yielded a better physical performance 1 month postoperative, shorter hospital stay, a shorter duration of chest tube drainage and epidural analgesia. We concluded that VATS is the preferable approach due to superior functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rachel C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Numan
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baas
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Houke M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Klomp
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Wouters
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016019:Survival Analysis; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: pulmonary metastasectomy; quality of life; thoracotomy; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery