Video-assisted thoracic surgical non-rib spreading simultaneously stapled lobectomy (VATS(n)SSL)

Abstract

Two hundred consecutive patients underwent a video-assisted thoracic surgical non-rib spreading simultaneously stapled lobectomy (VATS(n)SSL). Ninety-three were males and 107 were females, ranging in age from 20 to 92 years. Lesions consisted of 171 primary lung carcinomas, 7 metastatic tumors, and 22 benign lesions. Resections included 47 right upper lobe, 18 right middle lobe, 46 right lower lobe, 52 left upper lobe, 26 left lower lobe and 11 bilobectomies, ie, 9 right upper and middle lobes and 2 right middle and lower lobes. Operating time averaged 79.5 minutes, and no patient received a transfusion. Tumors ranged from 1 cm to 9 cm, bronchial stumps were 4 to 5 mm, and length of hospitalization averaged 3.07 days. Complications were minimal, and there was no surgical mortality. No patient developed a bronchopleural fistula or neoplastic port implant. Twenty-four patients have died of metastases. At a median follow-up of 34 months for all stages of carcinoma, there is an overall survival rate of 86%. Survival rate is 92% for stage I. VATS(n)SSL is a new technique for lobectomy that has proven to be beneficial for patients needing resection.