Diagnosis and treatment of 131 adult patients with bronchopulmonary sequestration: A retrospective analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the safety and feasibility of uni-portal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS). Methods    The clinical data of BPS patients with surgical resection in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from February 2010 to June 2021 were reviewed. The patients were divided into a VATS group and a thoracotomy group according to the operation method. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay and postoperative complication rate were compared between the two groups. The VATS group was subdivided into a uni-portal VATS group and a multi-portal VATS group for subgroup analysis. Results    Finally 131 patients were enrolled, including 62 males and 69 females with an average age of 39.3±13.2 years. There were 103 patients in the VATS group and 28 patients in the thoracotomy group. A total of 104 patients were diagnosed with left lower BPS, 26 with right lower BPS and 1 with bilateral lower BPS. The main symptom was cough (88 patients, 67.2%). There were 119 patients diagnosed by thoracic enhanced CT before operation. Compared with the thoracotomy group, the operation time was not statistically different (P=0.717), but the blood loss was less, the rate of postoperative complication was lower and hospital stay was shorter in the VATS group (P<0.05). The rate of conversion to open surgery in the uni-portal VATS group and multi-portal VATS group was 11.8% and 13.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, patients in the uni-portal VATS group had shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay, less blood loss and lower postoperative complication rate than those in the multi-portal VATS group (P<0.05). Conclusion     In order to improve the rate of diagnosis, the lung enhanced CT scan should be selected as an optimal noninvasive method in adult suspected patients (especially those with solid cystic and solid lesions in the lower lobe). Uni-portal VATS is a safe and feasible method for BPS which can be widely promoted.

Short-term and long-term outcomes of uniportal versus three portal thoracoscopic radical resection of non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To compare the short-term efficacy and long-term survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by uniportal or three portal thoracoscopic radical resection. Methods     A total of 388 patients who underwent uniportal or three portal thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Anhui Chest Hospital from 2015 to 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups including an uniportal group and a three portal group according to the procedure. The clinicopathological features, perioperative data and long-term survival of the two groups were compared. Results     Finally, we included 205 patients with 105 males and 100 females at an average age of 58.73±10.93 years. There were 102 patients in the uniportal group and 103 patients in the three portal group. There was no statistical difference in clinicopathological features between the two groups (P>0.05). But compared with the three portal group, the uniportal group had less postoperative drainage, shorter postoperative catheterization time and postoperative hospital stay (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the number of lymph node dissection stations between the two groups (P=0.058). The pain score at 24 hours after operation in the uniportal group was significantly lower than that in the three portal group (P<0.001). There was no  statistical difference in the total incidence of complications and the incidence of pulmonary complications between the two groups (P=0.161 and P=0.275). The median survival period and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th year survival rate in the uniportal group was 63.0 months and 95.0%, 75.2%, 51.5%, respectively. The median survival period and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th year survival rate in the three portal group was 61.0 months and 89.3%, 70.9%, 50.5%, respectively. There was no satistical difference in the survival results between the two groups (P=0.440). Conclusion     Uniportal thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer is more minimally invasive and safe and effective in the treatment of NSCLC. It can make patients recover faster after operation.

Clinical application of Ivor-Lewis procedure under uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy for esophageal cancer / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of Ivor-Lewis procedure under uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy(VATS) for esophageal cancer and Siewert type I esophago-gastric junction carcinoma.Methods:The patients with middle-lower segment esophageal cancer or Siewert type I esophago-gastric junction carcinoma received minimally invasive esophagectomy between October 2020 and June 2021, and the clinical data was collected and analyzed.Results:26 patients received Ivor-Lewis procedure underwent uniportal VATS, while 45 patients underwent McKeown surgery under multiport VATS. The average operation time of patients in the two groups were(265±110)min and (235±94)min, and the average intraoperative blood loss were(80±57)ml and(105±60)ml. The mean number of lymph nodes removed in the surgery were (19.3±2.9) and 18.6±2.7 respectively in two groups, and the mean length of hospital stay was(7.5±3.5)days and(8.3±2.7)days. The incidence of perioperative complications were not significantly different in two groups. The VAS score of patients received Ivor-Lewis procedure underwent uniportal VATS was lower than that of patients received McKeown surgery in ostoperative day 1, day 3, day 7 and 1 month. The difference was statistically significant in two groups( P<0.05). Conclusion:The Ivor-Lewis procedure under uniportal VATS for esophageal cancer and Siewert type I esophago-gastric junction carcinoma has the advantage of less postoperative pain, and the procedure is feasible in clinical practice.

Early chest tube removal following single-direction versus conventional uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the feasibility of early chest tube removal following single-direction uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (S-UVATS) anatomical lobectomy. Methods    The clinical data of consecutive VATS lobectomy by different surgeons in Xuzhou Central Hospital between May 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, the data of 1 084 patients were selected for analysis, including 538 males and 546 females, with a mean age of 61.0±10.1 years. These patients were divided into a S-UVATS group with 558 patients and a conventional group (C-UVATS) with 526 patients according to the surgical procedures. The perioperative parameters such as operation time, blood loss were recorded. In addition, we assessed the amount of residual pleural effusion and the probability of secondary thoracentesis when taking 300 mL/d and 450 mL/d as the threshold of chest tube removal. Results    Tumor-negative   surgical margin was achieved without mortality in this cohort. As compared with the C-UVATS group, patients in the S-UVATS group demonstrated significantly shorter operation time (P<0.001), less blood loss (P=0.002), lower rate of conversion to multiple-port VATS or thoracotomy (P=0.003), but more stations and numbers of dissected lymph nodes as well as less suture staplers (P<0.001). Moreover, patients in the S-UVATS demonstrated shorter chest tube duration, less total volume of thoracic drainage and shorter postoperative hospital stay, with statistical differences (P<0.001). After excluding patients of chylothorax and prolonged air leaks>7 d, subgroup analysis was performed. First, assuming that 300 mL/d was the threshold for chest tube removal, as compared with the C-UVATS group, patients in the S-UVATS group would report less residual pleural effusion and less necessitating second thoracentesis with residual pleural effusion>500 mL (P<0.05). Second, assuming that 450 mL/d was the threshold for chest tube removal, as compared with the C-UVATS group, the S-UVATS group would also report less residual pleural effusion and less necessitating second thoracentesis with residual pleural effusion>500 mL (P<0.05). Further multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that S-UVATS was significantly negatively related to drainage volume>1 000 mL (P<0.05); whereas combined lobectomy, longer operation time, more blood loss and air leakage were independent risk factors correlated with drainage volume>1 000 mL following UVATS lobectomy (P<0.05). Conclusion    The short-term efficacy of S-UVATS lobectomy is significantly better than that of the conventional group, indicating shorter operation time and less chest drainage. However, early chest tube removal with a high threshold of thoracic drainage volume probably increases the risk of secondary thoracentesis due to residual pleural effusion.

Comparison of Quality of Life of the Patients Three Months after Uniportal and Multiportal Thoracoscopic Lobectomy / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#The relationship between quality of life at three months after lung cancer surgery and different surgical approaches is remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the quality of life of patients three months after uniportal and multiportal thoracoscopic lobectomy.@*METHODS@#Data from patients who underwent lung surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital between April 2021 and October 2021 were collected. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer 29 (EORTC QLQ-LC29) were used to collect quality of life data of the patients. Potential confounding factors in the baseline data were included in a multivariate regression model for adjustment, and the quality of life of the two groups three months postoperatively was compared with traditional clinical outcomes.@*RESULTS@#A total of 130 lung cancer patients were included, with 57 males (43.8%) and 73 females (56.2%), and an average age of (57.1±9.5) yr. In the baseline data of the two groups, there was a statistical difference in the number of chest drainage tubes placed (P<0.001). After adjustment with the regression model, at three months postoperatively, there were no significant differences in all symptoms and functional status scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). The multiportal group had longer surgery time (120.0 min vs 85.0 min, P=0.001), postoperative hospital stay (6.0 d vs 4.0 d, P=0.020), and a higher incidence of early ≥ grade 2 complications (39.0% vs 10.1%, P=0.011) compared to the uniportal group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Patients undergoing uniportal and multiportal thoracoscopic lobectomy have similar quality of life at three months postoperatively. The uniportal group may have certain advantages in terms of traditional clinical outcome indicators such as operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and early postoperative complications.

Comparación de resultados de la Cirugía Torácica Convencional y la Uniportal en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología / Comparison of results of Conventional and Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery in the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology

Introducción: La cirugía torácica videoasistida por un solo puerto (Uniportal VATS) se ha convertido hoy en uno de los abordajes más utilizados para resecciones pulmonares en muchos centros de cirugía torácica del mundo, en Cuba su introducción es bastante reciente y todavía se encuentra en fase inicial. Objetivo: Comparar los resultados obtenidos por cirugía torácica abierta y Uniportal VATS en pacientes intervenidos en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología de La Habana (INOR) durante enero de 2016 a abril de 2017. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte longitudinal retrospectivo con 60 pacientes atendidos en el INOR durante enero de 2016 a abril de 2017 a los cuales se les realizó cirugía torácica. Resultados: Veinticuatro pacientes fueron operados por Uniportal VATS y 36 a través de la toracotomía, primaron las lesiones del lado derecho, el procedimiento más realizado fue lobectomía. Los estadíos predominantes fueron IA y IB, la mayoría de los procedimientos fue realizada en tres horas o menos, 8 casos se convirtieron, 13 sufrieron complicaciones. La estadía media de los pacientes tratados con Uniportal VATS fue menor que los que recibieron la toracotomía abierta. Conclusiones: El abordaje Uniportal se caracterizó por ser seguro, tener una gran versatilidad, pocas complicaciones y por mejorar la recuperación postquirúrgica del paciente y acelerar su reincorporación a las actividades de la vida cotidiana(AU)

Introduction: Single-port Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (Uniportal VATS) has currently become one of the most commonly used approaches for lung resections in many Thoracic Surgery Centers around the world. In Cuba, its introduction is quite recent and it is still in its initial phase. Objective: To compare the results obtained by open thoracic surgery and Uniportal VATS in patients who underwent surgery in the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology of Havana (INOR) from January 2016 to April 2017. Material and Methods: An observational descriptive longitudinal retrospective study was conducted in 60 patients who underwent Thoracic Surgery in the INOR during 2016 - April 2017. Results: A total of 24 patients were operated through Uniportal VATS and 36 underwent thoracotomy. The lesions predominantly affected the right side and lobectomy was the most performed surgical procedure. Stages IA and IB predominated. Most of the procedures were carried out in 3 hours or less, 8 cases were converted and 13 suffered from complications. The average postoperative length of stay in hospital for patients who underwent Uniportal VATS was reduced compared to those who underwent open thoracotomy. Conclusions: Uniportal VATS is characterized by being a safe procedure with few complications and great versatility. It improves postoperative recovery of patients and accelerates their return to daily life activities(AU)

Subxiphoid versus lateral intercostal uniportal thoracoscopic thymectomy: a propensity score matching study / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the advantages and safety of subxiphoid uniportal thoracoscopic thymectomy.Methods:From October 2014 to December 2019, a total of 308 patients diagnosed with early stage thymic epithelial tumor underwent uniportal thoracoscopic thymectomy were included. Subxiphoid group including 40 males and 37 females, aged 32-80 years old, mean age(58.0±11.8)years old. Intercostal group including 114 males and 117 females, aged 25-78 years old, mean age(54.8±11.4)years old. Short-term and long-term postoperative pain scores was compared in a propensity score matching analysis.Results:Propensity score analysis revealed that 62 patients treated with the subxiphoid approach and 62 patients treated with the lateral intercostal approach had the same baseline characteristics. There were no significant differences in lesion size, stage, pathological type, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups( P>0.05). Compared with those in the intercostal group, patients in the subxiphoid group yielded lower pain scores on the first day after operation and less patients with postoperative pain lasting more than 3 months. Patients required for additional analgesic therapy in subxiphoid group was less than intercostal group. One patient in subxiphoid group developed myasthenia after operation, which prolonged the duration of mechanical ventilation. No serious perioperative complications and death occurred in other patients. Conclusion:Subxiphoid uniportal thoracoscopic thymectomy is safe and feasible, it has the advantages of no injury to intercostal nerve and less short-term and long-term postoperative pain compared with intercostal approach.

Perioperative outcomes of uniportal versus three-port video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for 2 112 lung cancer patients: A propensity score matching study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To analyze the perioperative outcomes of uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy compared with three-port thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods     Data were extracted from the Western China Lung Cancer Database, a prospectively maintained database at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Perioperative outcomes of the patients who underwent uniportal or three-port thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer during January 2014 through April 2021 were analyzed by using propensity score matching. Altogether 5 817 lung cancer patients were enrolled who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy (uniportal: 530 patients; three-port: 5 287 patients). After matching, 529 patients of uniportal and 1 583 patients of three-port were included. There were 529 patients with 320 males and 209 females at median age of 58 (51, 65) years in the uniportal group and 1 583 patients with 915 males and 668 females at median age of 58 (51, 65) years in the three-port group. Results     Uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (20 mL vs. 30 mL, P<0.001), longer operative time (115 min vs. 105 min, P<0.001) than three-port thoracoscopic lobectomy. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the number of lymph node dissected, rate of conversion to thoracotomy, incidence of postoperative complication, postoperative pain score within 3 postoperative days, length of hospital stay, or hospitalization expenses. Conclusion     Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is safe and effective, and the overall perioperative outcomes are comparable between uniportal and three-port strategies, although the two groups show differences in intraoperative blood loss.

Clinical application of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery anatomic basal segmentectomy / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the efficacy of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomic basal segmentectomy. Methods    The clinical data of 15 patients who underwent uniportal VATS anatomic basal segmentectomy between June 2020 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 4 males and 11 females with a median age of 53 (32-70) years. The incisions were placed in the fifth intercostal space across the mid-axillary line. All basal segmentectomies were performed through the interlobar fissure or inferior pulmonary ligament approach following the strategies of single-direction and stem-branch. Results    All patients underwent basal segmentectomy successfully with no conversion to multi-portal procedure or thoracotomy. The median operation time was 120 (90-160) min, median intraoperative blood loss was 20 (10-50) mL, median drainage time was 3 (2-5) d, and median postoperative hospital stay was 4 (4-10) d. The maximum diameter of the lesion in the resected basal segment was 1.2 (0.7-1.9) cm. The median resected lymph nodes were 7 (5-12). There was no evidence of nodal metastases. One patient suffered postoperative atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia. No perioperative death occurred. Conclusion    Uniportal VATS anatomic basal segmentectomy is feasible and safe. It can be performed in a simple manner following the strategy of single-direction.

Effectiveness of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic sublobar resection and lobectomy for lung metastases from colorectal cancer / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the effectiveness of sublobar resection and lobectomy via uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) for lung metastases from colorectal cancer. Methods    Retrospective research was conducted on 42 colorectal cancer patients with lung metastases who underwent U-VATS sublobar resection and lobectomy at the Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between April 2016 and May 2019, including 24 males and 18 females with an average age of 58.0±9.9 years. Among them 17 patients received U-VATS sublobar resection and 25 patients received lobectomy. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pulmonary infection, drainage tube indwelling time, drainage volume on the first day after surgery, postoperative hospital stay were analyzed between the two groups, and the relationship between the prognosis and clinical characteristics of the two groups was compared. Results    Sublobar resection patients had less lung metastases (P=0.043) and shorter operation time (P=0.023) compared with the lobectomy patients. There was no significant difference between the lobectomy and sublobar resection groups in intraoperative blood loss (P=0.169), rate of postoperative infection (P=0.982), postoperative drainage duration (P=0.265), drainage volume on the first day after surgery (P=0.402) and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.612). The progression-free survival of the two groups was 25.19 months and 23.63 months (P=0.721), and their overall survival was 29.09 months and 30.64 months (P=0.554). Conclusion    Considering guantity and locations of lung metastases, U-VATS sublobar resection can achieve a similar prognosis to lobectomy for lung metastases from colorectal cancer. Further efficacy of this surgical strategy remains to be proved by longer follow-up.

Comparison of efficacy between robot-assisted and uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To compare the perioperative efficacy and safety of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) in the lobectomy for early lung adenocarcinoma. Methods    Clinical data of 70 early lung adenocarcinoma patients, receiving RATS or UVATS lobectomy by the same surgical team in our hospital from November 2018 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 24 males and 46 females with an average age of 59.3±8.9 years. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into a RATS group (31 patients) and a UVATS group (39 patients). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, indwelling time, drainage volume, number of lymph node dissected, stations of lymph node dissected and perioperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results    There was no conversion to thoracotomy or perioperative death in both groups. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, indwelling time of thoracic drainage tube, thoracic drainage volume or stations of lymph node dissected between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of pulmonary infection, persistent lung leakage, chylothorax, arrhythmia or overall complications between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time of the RATS group was longer than that of the UVATS group (195.8±52.8 min vs. 154.0±43.1 min, P=0.001). The number of lymph node dissected in the RATS group was more than that of the UVATS group (P=0.016). Conclusion    Both RATS and UVATS are safe and feasible in the treatment of lung cancer. The number of lymph nodes removed by RATS is significantly more than that of UVATS.

Application of Two Ultrafine Chest Tube for Drainage after Pulmonary Uniportal Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#At present, an ultrafine chest tube combined with a traditional thick tube were often used after pulmonary uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS). However, the thick tube was often placed in the incision, which increased the risk of poor wound healing and postoperative pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and safety of using two ultrafine chest tubes (10 F pigtail tube) for drainage after pulmonary U-VATS.@*METHODS@#The medical records of patients who underwent pulmonary U-VATS during June 2018 and June 2020 in the department of cardiothoracic surgery of the second affiliated hospital of Soochow university were retrospectively reviewed to compare two different drainage strategies, receiving two 10 F pigtail tubes as chest tube (group A) or one 10 F pigtail tube as lower chest tube combined with one 24 F tube as upper chest tube (group B).@*RESULTS@#106 patients in group A receiving two 10 F pigtail tubes during June 2019 and June 2020 and 183 patients in group B receiving one 10 F pigtail tube as lower chest tube combined with one 24 F tube as upper chest tube during June 2018 and June 2019 were included. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of the postoperative thoracic drainage (mL) (1st: 199.54±126.56 vs 203.59±139.32, P=0.84; 2nd: 340.30±205.47 vs 349.74±230.92, P=0.76; 3rd: 435.19±311.51 vs 451.37±317.03, P=0.70; 4th: 492.58±377.33 vs 512.57±382.94, P=0.69; Total: 604.57±547.24 vs 614.64±546.08, P=0.88), drainage time (d) (upper chest tube: 2.54±2.20 vs 3.40±2.07, P=0.21; lower chest tube: (2.24±2.43 vs 3.82±2.12, P=0.10), postoperative hospital stays (d) (6.87±3.17 vs 7.06±3.21, P=0.63), poor wound healing (0 vs 3.28%, P=0.09), replacement of lower chest tube (0.94% vs 2.19%, P=0.66) and the VAS1 (3.00±0.24 vs 2.99±0.15, P=0.63). Notably, there were significant differences between two groups in terms of the VAS₂ (2.28±0.63 vs 2.92±0.59, P<0.01) and VAS₃ (2.50±1.58 vs 2.79±1.53, P=0.02), as well as the frequency of using additional analgesics (25.47% vs 38.25%, P=0.03) and replacement of the upper chest tube (0 vs 4.37%, P=0.03).@*CONCLUSIONS@#It's feasible and safe to use two 10 F pigtail tubes for drainage after pulmonary U-VATS, which can achieve less postoperative pain and lower frequency of replacement of the upper chest tube on some specific patients.

Feasibility Investigation of Fluorescence Method in Uniport Thoracoscopic Anatomical Segmentectomy for Identifying the Intersegmental Boundary Line / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#Segmentectomy has gradually become one of the standard surgical methods for small pulmonary nodules with early lung cancer on imaging. This study aimed to investigate the perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent uniport video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for identifying the intersegmental boundary line (IBL) by the near-infrared fluorescence imaging with intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) method or the modified inflation-deflation (MID) method and assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the ICG fluorescence (ICGF)-based method.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the perioperative data in total 198 consecutive patients who underwent uniport VATS segmentectomy between February 2018 and August 2020. With the guidance of preoperative intelligent/interactive qualitative and quantitative analysis-three dimensional (IQQA-3D), the targeted segment structures could be precisely identified and dissected, and then the IBL was confirmed by ICGF-based method or MID method. Clinical effectiveness and postoperative complications of the two methods were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#An IBL was visible in 98% of patients by the ICGF-based group, even with the low-doses of ICG. The ICGF-based group was significantly associated with the shorter IBL clear presentation time [(23.59±4.47) s vs (1,026.80±318.34) s] (P0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The ICGF-based method could highly accurately identify the IBL and make anatomical segmentectomy easier and faster, and therefore has the potential to be a feasible and effective technique to facilitate the quality of uniport VATS segmentectomy.

Chinese expert consensus on the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer: An interpreation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (UniVATS) is a significant approach of mini-invasive surgery for lung cancer. UniVATS was first used for treatment of lung cancer in 2010. The European consensus and the Chinese consensus were published in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The latest Chinese consensus included the definition of UniVATS, indications for lung cancer treatment, safety and feasibility, surgical skills, learning curve, short-term and long-term results, providing suggestions for the standardization of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, which are essential to improve the quality of surgery and reduce the incidence of related complications. The Chinese consensus also summarized the current status of subxiphoid UniVATS and non-intubated UniVATS for lung cancer. Considering the technical difficulties and challenges, the application of both technologies in clinical treatment has certain limitation. This article aims to give an interpretation of the results of the Chinese consensus and the similarities and to compare the differences with the European consensus, and to provide a reference for the majority of thoracic surgery colleagues.

Cirugía torácica por puerto único. Experiencia inicial / Uniportal thoracic surgery. Initial Experience / Cirurgia torácica de portal único. Experiência inicial

Resumen: Introducción: La cirugía torácica videoasistida es hoy un procedimiento aceptado por ser seguro, factible y efectivo para el tratamiento de casi todas las enfermedades del tórax. En el 2010 se comienzan a publicar procedimientos complejos por un solo puerto, con una gran expansión a nivel mundial. Esta vía de abordaje es al menos equiparable a la multiportal en lo que concierne a resultados en el postoperatorio, o incluso mejor en lo referente a dolor, neuralgia intercostal y estadía hospitalaria. Realizamos un análisis retrospectivo de los procedimientos uniportales entre septiembre de 2018 y agosto de 2020. Resultados: 40 pacientes fueron sometidos a procedimientos por vía uniportal torácica. De estos, 18 pacientes fueron sometidos a resecciones anatómicas (45%), 19 a resecciones atípicas (no anatómicas), una timectomía y dos biopsias pleurales. Se realizaron 12 lobectomías (30%), 3 neumonectomías (7,5%) y 3 segmentectomías (7,5%). Se convirtieron a cirugía abierta 6 pacientes (15%) y falleció un paciente por sepsis respiratoria. En cuanto a las complicaciones tuvimos en las resecciones anatómicas ocho complicaciones (cinco mayores), en las no anatómicas 4 complicaciones (2 mayores). Del postoperatorio un paciente con dolor de más de un mes de evolución, uno con parestesias en el territorio intercostal y dos con disnea. Las resecciones anatómicas tuvieron una media de internación de 8 días y 5.8 días de drenaje pleural, mientras que las no anatómicas 5,5 días de internación y 3.3 días de drenaje pleural. Conclusión: la cirugía uniportal es segura y practicable en centro de bajo volumen.

Abstract: Introduction: video assisted thoracic surgery is widely accepted today as a safe, feasible and effective procedure to treat almost all thoracic conditions. In 2010, uniportal complex procedures begin to appear in scientific publications around the world, evidencing major expansion. This surgical approach is at least comparable to the multiportal approach in terms of postoperative results or even in regards to pain, intercostal neuralgia and length of hospital stay. We performed a retrospective study of uniportal procedures between September 2018 and August 2020. Results: 40 patients underwent uniportal thoracic surgeries. 18 of these were subject to anatomic resections (45%), 19 to atypical resection (non-anatomic), one thymectomy and two pleural biopsies, 12 lobectomies (30%), 3 neumomectomies (7,5%) and 3 segmentomectomies (7,5%). In 6 patients the procedure was converted to an open surgery (15%) and one patient died for respiratory sepsis. As to the occurrence of complications, 8 complications were seen in anatomic resections (5 major complications) and 4 complications in non-anatomic resections (2 major complications). One patient reported pain that lasted over one week in the postoperative stage, another one referred paresthesia and two reported dyspnea. Length of stay in the hospital was 8 days in anatomic resections and 5.8 days of pleural drainage, whereas in non-anatomic resections it was 5.5 and 3.3 respectively. Conclusion: uniportal surgery is safe and feasible in a relatively small health center.

Resumo: Introdução: a cirurgia torácica videoassistida é hoje um procedimento aceito por ser seguro, viável e eficaz para o tratamento de quase todas as doenças torácicas. Em 2010, começaram a ser publicados procedimentos complexos por porta única com grande expansão mundial. Essa abordagem é pelo menos comparável à abordagem multiporta em termos de resultados pós-operatórios ou ainda melhor em termos de dor, neuralgia intercostal e internação hospitalar. Realizamos uma análise retrospectiva dos procedimentos uniportais entre setembro de 2018 e agosto de 2020. Resultados: 40 pacientes foram submetidos a procedimentos por via torácica uniportal. Destes, 18 pacientes foram submetidos a ressecções anatômicas (45%), 19 foram submetidos a ressecções atípicas (não anatômicas), uma timectomia e duas biópsias pleurais. Foram realizadas 12 lobectomias (30%), 3 pneumectomias (7,5%) e 3 segmentectomias (7,5%). Seis pacientes (15%) foram convertidos para cirurgia aberta e um paciente morreu de sepse respiratória. Em relação às complicações, tivemos 8 complicações (5 maiores) nas ressecções anatômicas, 4 complicações (2 maiores) nas ressecções não anatômicas. No pós-operatório, um paciente com dor há mais de um mês de evolução, um com parestesia em território intercostal e dois com dispneia. As ressecções anatômicas tiveram internação média de 8 dias e 5,8 dias de drenagem pleural, enquanto as não anatômicas tiveram 5,5 dias de internação e 3,3 dias de drenagem pleural. Conclusão: a cirurgia uniportal é segura e praticável em um centro de baixo volume.

VATS Uniportal, masterclass Guatemala / VATS Uniportal, masterclass Guatemala

En las dos últimas décadas la evolución de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva del tórax ha transmutado de un abordaje de tres puertos, siguiendo dos puertos hasta llegar a puerto único, conocido también como VATS Uniportal, procurando un confort mucho mejor para el paciente y resultados quirúrgicos similares. Objetivos. Presentar la técnica quirúrgica de VATS Uniportal en un hospital nacional, efectuadas por un experto internacional en este campo. Pacientes y Métodos. Se presentan dos casos clínicos quirúrgicos: El de una paciente con Miastenia Gravis a quien se le realizó timectomía por abordaje sub-xifoideo y otra paciente, a quien se le completó una lobectomía inferior derecha por hallazgos de patología posterior a la resección de un nódulo pulmonar solitario, reportado como cáncer primario de pulmón. Conclusiones. La técnica de cirugía mínimamente invasiva, VATS Uniportal, ofrece grandes beneficios para el paciente, tanto estéticos como funcionales y su aprendizaje es posible con la transmisión de conocimientos y experiencias directa con la presencia del experto o indirectas a través de la información publicada. (AU)

In the last two decades, the evolution of minimally invasive chest surgery has transmuted from a three-port approach, following two ports until reaching a single port, also known as VATS Uniportal, seeking much better comfort for the patient and similar surgical results. Objective. Present the VATS Uniportal surgical technique in a national hospital, performed by an international expert in this field. Patients and Methods. Two surgical clinical cases are presented: that of a patient with Myasthenia Gravis who underwent thymectomy through the sub-xiphoid approach and another patient, who underwent a right lower lobectomy due to findings of pathology after the resection of a pulmonary nodule. solitary, reported as primary lung cancer. Conclusions. The minimally invasive surgery technique, VATS Uniportal, offers great benefits for the patient, both aesthetic and functional and its learning is possible with the transmission of knowledge and experiences directly with the presence of the expert or indirectly through published information. (AU)

Cirugía torácica videoasistida uniportal en dos centros universitarios: experiencia inicial / Initial experience in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery at two university campuses

Resumen Introducción: Uno de los mayores avances de las últimas décadas en la cirugía de tórax ha sido el desarrollo de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva. Objetivos: Describir la experiencia en videotoracoscopía (VATS) Uniportal de miembros del equipo de Cirugía de Tórax de la Universidad de Chile en 2 campos clínicos, (Clínica Las Condes y Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile). Materiales y Método: Se estudiaron 105 pacientes sometidos a VATS uniportal entre enero de 2016 y enero de 2019. Los datos se analizaron de manera retrospectiva considerando variables demográficas (edad, sexo) y clínicas (diagnóstico, cirugía, estadía hospitalaria, días de pleurostomía, conversión y complicaciones). Resultados: De las 105 cirugías realizadas, 28 (26,6%) correspondieron a cirugías mayores complejas lobectomías y segmentectomías anatómicas. En 4 pacientes se agregó un 2° puerto, uno se convirtió a minitoracotomía y uno a toracotomía (5,7% conversión global). La estadía hospitalaria fue en promedio 3,07 ± 3,1 días y el promedio de mantención de pleurostomía de 2,67 ± 1,61 días. Siete pacientes (6,6%) presentaron complicaciones postoperatorias. Un paciente falleció por progresión de su enfermedad, no hubo mortalidad relacionada a la cirugía. Discusión: Las contraindicaciones de la VATS uniportal son las mismas que en la VATS multipuerto. En manos experimentadas, las complicaciones en cirugía por puerto único son bajas. Impresiona tener menos dolor postoperatorio, menor estadía hospitalaria y reintegración precoz a las actividades diarias comparado con la VATS tradicional. Conclusiones: Se presenta la primera serie de VATS uniportal publicada en Chile. Los resultados obtenidos son comparables a los observados en la literatura. Su implementación y desarrollo requiere de una curva de aprendizaje similar a cualquier nueva técnica quirúrgica.

Objective: To describe the initial results with uniportal Video-Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) performed in two campuses by members of the Section of Thoracic Surgery of the University of Chile ("Clínica Las Condes" and University of Chile Clinical Hospital). Materials and Method: Between January 2016 and January 2019, a total of 105 patients underwent uniportal VATS. Clinical data was collected retrospectively from digital records including demographic (age, sex) and clinical variables (diagnosis, surgery, duration of the chest tube, length of stay, conversion rate and postoperative complications). Results: Uniportal VATS was performed on 105 patients during the study period. Twenty-eight cases (26.6%) corresponded to lobectomy or anatomic segmentectomy. In 4 cases a 2nd port was required, 1 patient had to be converted to mini-thoracotomy and 1 to thoracotomy (5.8% global conversion). Overall, the median length of stay was 3.07 ± 3.1 days and the median duration of chest tube drainage was 2.67 ± 1.61 days. Seven patients (6.6%) presented complications. One patient died due to progression of his disease, there were no deaths related to the procedures. Discussion: Uniportal VATS has similar indications than multiportal VATS. On experienced hands, uniportal VATS has a low morbidity rate. Uniportal VATS appears to produce less post-operative pain, with shorter hospital stay and a faster return to normal life compared to standard VATS. Conclusion: We present the first uniportal VATS series in Chile. Results were similar to published series. Implementation and development of uniportal VATS requires a learning curve similar to any new surgical procedure.

Uniportal versus three-port subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the clinical characteristics of uniportal and three-port subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (XVATS) extended thymectomy. Methods    The clinical data of 60 consecutive patients of XVATS thymectomy in Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2017 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 29 males and 31 females, with an average age of 53.1 (27.0-76.0) years. The patients were divided into an uniportal XVATS group (30 patients) and a three-port XVATS group (30 patients). The clinical effectiveness was compared between the two groups. Results    There was no significant difference in age, sex, body mass index, tumor size, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative time of thoracic tube indwelling and thoracic drainage, or postoperative hospitalization time between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no perioperative mortality, conversion to thoracotomy, thrombosis or mediastinal infection. The operation time of the uniportal XVATS group was significantly longer than that of the three-port group (87.5±19.0 min vs. 75.8±15.7 min, P=0.012). Besides, patients in the uniportal group had significantly lower pain score during 3-14 postoperative days than that of the three-port group (P=0.001). Conclusion    Uniportal XVATS extended thymectomy is feasible with less pain as compared with the patients using three-port XVATS, but it needs longer operation time at initial stage.

Comparative study of subxiphoid and intercostal uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the effects of subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SUVATS) and intercostal uniportal VATS (IUVATS) in lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods    A total of 428 patients with NSCLC who underwent lobectomy via SUVATS or IUVATS from July 1st to 31st, 2019 in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital were enrolled. Patient characteristics, perioperative outcomes and postoperative pain scores at different time points were collected. The patients were divided into a SUVATS group (80 patients, 42 males and 38 females with an average age of 58.8±9.6 years) and an IUVATS group (348 patients, 161 males and 187 females, with an average age of 61.2±10.0 years). The clinical effectiveness of the two groups was compared. Results    There was no significant difference in sex (P=0.314), age (P=0.052), preoperative pulmonary function (P=0.701), combined chronic comorbidities (chronic cardiovascular disease, P=0.775; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, P=0.678) and postoperative pathology (P=0.132) between the two groups. Compared with the IUVATS group, patients in the SUVATS group had longer operation time (155.6±34.4 min vs. 141.3±27.0 min, P<0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (165.2±160.6 mL vs. 223.7±272.4 mL, P<0.001), shorter time of chest tube use (4.3±2.0 d vs. 4.9±1.9 d, P=0.011) and less postoperative pain score at different time points (postoperative 8 h, P<0.001; postoperative day 1, P=0.019; postoperative day 2, P=0.015; the day before discharge, P<0.001). Conclusion    SUVATS is a safe and effective technique for lobectomy in NSCLC patients with less postoperative pain and can promote postoperative recovery.

Clinical analysis of adhesion dissection in transaxillary uniporal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for palmar hyperhidrosis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze the safety and feasibility of the adhesion dissection in transaxillary uniportal thoracoscopy for palmar hyperhidrosis. Methods    Data of 168 patients, including 77 males and 91 females with an average age of 14 - 41 (24.3±5.4) years, who received transaxillary uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for palmar hyperhidrosis from January 2015 to July 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Severe adhesion was found in 4 patients and mild adhesion was found in 12 patients. Artificial pneumothorax was used to help dissect adhesion. Preoperative CT scan could help locate the rib according to the relative position to azygos vein or aotic arch. Results    All of 168 patients were successfully completed with transaxillary uniportal VATS. Then chest tubes were put in the 4 severe adhesion patients. The tube was removed from one patient after 11 days because of air leak, and from the other three patients on the next day. The other 164 patients with or without adhesion were discharged from hospital on the operation day or the next day. Conclusion    Adhesion dissection in transaxillary uniportal VATS for palmar hyperhidrosis is safe and feasibile.