Mini-incision video-assisted thoracoscopic versus conventional surgery for lung cancer / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of lung cancer. Methods The study included 49 patients with non-small cell lung cancer at stage Ⅰ~Ⅱ from January 2005 to June 2006. Lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node resection was performed by using VATS in 22 patients (Thoracoscopic Group) and by using conventional surgery in 27 patients (Conventional Group). The pulmonary functions and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between the two groups. Results In the Thoracoscopic Group, a conversion to thoracotomy (12~15 cm of incision length) was required in 2 patients for treating blood vessels safely. The concentrations of CRP rose to the highest on the first day in both of groups. As compared with the Conventional Group, the CRP levels were significantly lower in the Thoracoscopic Group on the first day (56.1?10.9 mg/L vs 73.8?15.1 mg/L; t=-4.603, P=0.000). At 1 week after operation, the Thoracoscopic Group presented significantly lower minute ventilation volume (MV) (95.6?16.4 L vs 81.9?12.7 L; t=3.296, P=0.002) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV_1%) (51.7?5.7% vs 51.4?6.9%; t=3.105, P=0.003) than the Conventional Group. Conclusions VATS can be routinely adopted in patients with lung cancer at stage I or Ⅱ, with lesion