Retrospective study on evaluatoi n of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy of mediastinal lymph nodes / 实用肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate whether video -assisted thoracoscopic surgi-cal( VATS) lobectomy is as effective as open thoracotomy lobectomy for complete dissection of the mediastinal lymph node(MLN).Methods Patients with clinical stage N0 lung cancer who underwent lobectomy between January 2008 and June 2013were retrospectively evaluated based on the LN station resected and lobectomy proce -dure used,and a resection ratio was calculated .Nodal stage and the proportion of patients ,from whom at least three MLNs and station 7were dissected and compared by lobectomy type .Results Of the 201 patients enrolled in the study,84 and 117 underwent VATS and open thoracotomy lobectomies ,respectively.The mean number of LNs dissected at station 3a was similar in the two groups (1.34 ±2.58 vs.1.52 ±1.78;P>0.05),but the re-section ratio differed(39%sv .63%;P 0.05).There were no differences in the number of LNs dissected or resection ratio between the two groups for stations 4 L,5 L6, L,7 L, and9 L for the left-sided approaches .Only station 8L showed significant differences between the VATS and open thoracotomy groups in the number of LNs dissected (0.12 ±0.44 vs.0.46 ±0.71;P0.05). The Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival was also similar between the two groups (log-rank test,P>0.05).Con-clusion VATS lobectomy is as effective as open thoracotomy lobectomy for the dissection of MLNs .Thus,VATS lobotomy resection will continue to be offered as the best choice for patients with clinical stage N0.