Lung cancer from suspicion to treatment: An indicator of healthcare access in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Before beginning lung cancer treatment, it is necessary to complete procedures such as suspecting lung cancer, obtaining a pathologic diagnosis, and staging. This study aimed to investigate the processes from suspicion of lung cancer to diagnosis, staging, and treatment initiation. METHODS: The study was designed as a multicenter and cross-sectional study. Patients with lung cancer from various health institutions located in all geographic regions of Turkey were included in the study. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the characteristics of the health institutions and geographic regions, and other variables of the lung cancer process were recorded. The time from suspicion of lung cancer to pathologic diagnosis, radiologic staging, and treatment initiation, as well as influencing factors, were investigated. RESULTS: The study included 1410 patients from 29 different medical centers. The mean time from the initial suspicion of lung cancer to the pathologic diagnosis was 48.0 ± 52.6 days, 39.0 ± 52.7 days for radiologic staging, and 74.9 ± 65.5 days for treatment initiation. The residential areas with the most suspected lung cancer cases were highly developed socioeconomic zones. Primary healthcare services accounted for only 0.4% of patients with suspected lung cancer. The time to pathologic diagnosis was longer in the Marmara region, and the wait time for staging and treatment initiation was longer in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Patients who presented to chest disease referral hospitals with peripheral lesions, those with early-stage disease, and those who were diagnosed surgically had significantly longer wait times. CONCLUSION: The time between pathologic diagnosis, staging, and treatment initiation in lung cancer was longer than expected. Increasing the role of primary healthcare services and distributing socioeconomic resources more equally will contribute to shortening the time to diagnosis and improve treatment processes for lung cancer.

A rare pinch-off case embolized to the pulmonary artery.

The pinch-off syndrome is defined as the embolization of the central catheter inserted via the subclavian approach due to the mechanical compression between the clavicle, the first rib, the subclavius muscle, and the costoclavicular ligament. Embolization to the pulmonary artery is an extremely rare condition. In this article, we present a rare case with ovarian cancer who had multiple metastases both locally and lungs, the port catheter was fractured into three parts, the proximal part was removed, the middle part was left between the subclavian vein and the skin, and the long distal part was embolized to the pulmonary artery.

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor masked by COVID-19 infection and aspergilloma.

Novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) continues to pose a threat all over the world with the effect of new variants. The frequency of other secondary infections such as aspergilloma in patients with COVID-19 disease is not uncommon. Extremely rare lesions such as ciliated muconodular papillary tumor can be masked by radiological images caused by COVID-19 infection or secondary pathologies associated with it, leading to difficulties in diagnosis. Herein, we report a case in whom a diagnosis of aspergilloma and ciliated muconodular papillary tumor after six months of COVID-19 infection was made.

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage I non - small cell lung cancer: A Turkish Oncology Group Study.

PURPOSE: The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for tumors smaller than 4 cm is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy in high-risk stage I patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: This cooperative group study included 232 NSCLC patients who underwent curative surgery for stage I disease with tumor size 2-4 cm. Re ults: Median age at presentation was 63 years (range 18-90). The mean tumor size was 29.6 ± 7.3 mm. The frequency of patients with specified risk factors were: visceral pleural effusion (VPI): n: 82 (36.6%); lymphovascular invasion (LVI): n: 86 (39.1%); Grade 3: n: 48 (32.7%); Solid micropapillary pattern (SMP): n: 70 (48.3%). Adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy was administered to 51 patients. During a median follow-up period of 50.5 months 68 patients (29.3%) developed recurrence, 54 (23.3%) died from any cause and 38 (16.4%) of them died of lung cancer. Patients who received chemotherapy compared with the non-chemotherapy group had a longer 5-years relapse-free survival (RFS) (84.5 vs 61.1%). Also on multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was a significant independent prognostic factor for RFS. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy should be considered for patients with small tumors with adverse risk factors. Key words: adjuvant chemotherapy, lung cancer, oncology, lymphovascular invasion, solid-micropapillary pattern, platinum-based therapy.

Morbidity and mortality of surgical lung biopsy in the diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Histology represents the major source of information to define a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. However, the procedure is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of surgical lung biopsy (SLB) in diagnosing UIP. METHODS: Patients undergoing SLB with the ultimate diagnosis of UIP were studied. Clinical data concerning medical history, histology, pulmonary functions, radiology, length of hospital stay (LOS), morbidity and mortality status were retrospectively recruited from four hospitals. RESULTS: The study included consecutive 93 patients with a SLB diagnosis of UIP. Mean age was 61 ± 8 years, with one third of the patients were ≥65 years. In 58 cases (62.4%), the biopsy was performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, in 35 (37.7%) by limited thoracotomy. Eighty patients (86%) had possible UIP, 12 (12.9%) had inconsistent with UIP and one (1.1%) had UIP pattern on high-resolution computed tomography. The mean LOS was 5.47 ± 3.16 days. LOS was associated with smoking status (P = 0.024), type of biopsy (P = 0.00), 6-min walk test (P = 0.00) and number of biopsy (P = 0.00). There was no in-hospital and 30-day mortality in our cohort, and 90-day mortality rate was 1.1%. In seven patients (7.5%), we observed postoperative morbidities, predominantly prolonged air leakage (7.5% of all cases). Postoperative morbidity was only associated with the type of SLB. Patients with limited thoracotomy showed greater morbidity rates (17.1% versus 1.7%, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: SLB is a relatively safe procedure in the diagnosis of UIP and can be performed in suitable patients with suspected UIP/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Lung Cancer Surgery in Patients With a History of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Multicentre Study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer surgery may be required for patients with a history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). In this study, we evaluated the general characteristics of patients, the difficulties experienced during and after lung cancer surgery and complications and mortality rates. METHOD: Patients who were operated on for primary lung cancer between January 2012 and July 2017 in the participating centres were analysed retrospectively (n=7,530). Patients with a history of CABG (n=220) were examined in detail. This special group was analysed and compared with other patients operated on for lung cancer who did not have CABG (n=7,310) in terms of 30-day mortality and revision for haemorrhage. RESULTS: Of the 7,530 patients operated on for primary lung cancer, 2.9% were found to have undergone CABG. Surgical revision was required in the early postoperative period for 6.8% of those who had CABG and 3.5% in those who did not have CABG (p=0.009). Thirty-day (30-day) mortality was 4.5% in those who had CABG and 2.9% in those who did not have CABG (p=0.143). Further analysis of patients who had undergone CABG demonstrated that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resulted in fewer complications (p=0.015). Patients with a left-sided left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft had a higher number of postoperative complications (p=0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had CABG suffered postoperative haemorrhage requiring a revision twice as often, and a tendency towards higher mortality (non-statistically significant). In patients with a history of CABG, VATS was demonstrated to have fewer complications. Patients with a LIMA graft who had a left-sided resection had more postoperative complications.

Is there any relationship between quality of life and the level of sympathectomy in primary palmar hyperhidrosis? Single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The discussions at the surgical levels (sympathectomy levels) about endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) method, which is applied in hyperhidrosis treatment in the present day and acknowledged as the golden treatment method, continue. Mainly, most of the studies evaluates postoperative early period results. Our aim in this study is to compare the long-term quality of life depending on the different surgical levels (sympathectomy levels) and evaluate the postoperative complications. METHODS: 165 patients operated due to palmar hyperhidrosis between January 2012 and July 2017 were evaluated. Sympathectomy was performed either by clipping or cauterization and sympathetic nerves included were T2-4, T3-4, or T3 levels. Data were retrospectively reviewed for complications, factors affecting the postoperative quality of life. RESULTS: Ninety of the patients were male (54.5%) and 75 (45.5%) were female. The level of ganglion block was T2-T4 in 62 patients (37.6%), T3-T4 in 46 patients (27.9%), and T3 in 57 patients (34.5%). Early complications were observed in 27 patients (16.4%). Compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) was observed in 62 patients (37.6%). There was a significant difference in the postoperative quality of life according to ETS level (p < 0.001). Patients who underwent T2-T4 sympathectomy had a lower quality of life than patients who underwent isolated T3 or T3-T4 sympathectomy. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we recommend performing lower level resections to increase the long-term quality of life in palmar hyperhidrosis patients. The lower risk of CH and comparable quality of life suggest that T3 sympathectomy is more effective.

Long-Term Outcomes of Carinal Sleeve Resection in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Carinal resections for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the carina are challenging cases that require a therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the oncologic outcomes and complications of patients who underwent carinal resection. METHODS: Sixty-four patients who underwent carinal resection between 2005 and 2016 were evaluated. Data were retrospectively reviewed for indications, complications, and factors influencing long-term survival. RESULTS: The study included 51 patients (79.7%) who underwent sleeve pneumonectomy (sP) and 13 patients who underwent carinal sleeve lobectomy (csL) as a curative therapy. Nine patients (14.1%) received induction chemotherapy. Complications were observed in 31 patients (48.8%), including 24 patients (47.1%) in the sP group and 7 patients (53.8%) in the csL group (p = 0.662). Six patients (9.4%) developed bronchopleural fistula. The 30-day mortality rate was 10.9% (n = 7). The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 42.2 and 23.1%, respectively. N2 and R1 were identified as factors affecting survival (p = 0.029 and p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Carinal resections have acceptable morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival outcomes in central NSCLC. The main factors affecting survival are complete resection and nodal status. The results of csL were similar to those of sP. Therefore, we believe that csL should be performed in all eligible patients.

Is Right Sleeve Lower Lobectomy Necessary? Is It Safe?

OBJECTIVES: The right sleeve lower lobectomy is the least used of the bronchial sleeve operations. There are only case-based studies in the literature. In this study, we compared this technique to those used in patients who underwent a right lower bilobectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who had been operated on due to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from January 2005 to December 2015 from a dataset that was formed prospectively. Of the 4,166 patients who underwent resections due to NSCLC, the files of those who had a right sleeve lower lobectomy (group S) and those who had a right lower bilobectomy (group B) were evaluated. The remaining 25 patients in group B and 18 patients in group S were compared in terms of demographic data, morbidity, hospitalization time, mortality, histopathology, recurrence, and total survival. RESULTS: No significant differences in the demographic or clinical characteristics were observed between the two groups, except that group S had more female patients. Postoperative complications developed in 52% of the patients in group B and 11.1% of the patients in group S (p = 0.006). Mean hospitalization time was 9.6 ± 3.6 (range, 6-19) days in group B and 6.72 ± 1.5 (range, 4-9) days in group S (p = 0.001). All patients received complete resections. The mean patient follow-up time was 42.9 months. No significant difference was found between local and distant recurrences (p = 1, p = 0.432). Mean survival time was 89.6 months (5-year rate = 73%), which was 90.6 months (5-year rate = 75.3%) in group B and 63.1 months (5-year rate = 69.3%) in group S (p = 0.82). CONCLUSION: This technique allows for reduced filling of the thoracic cavity by a prolonged air leak and a reduced prevalence of complications. Additionally, the hospitalization time is shortened. It does not produce any additional mortality burden, and total survival and oncological outcomes are reliable. This technique can be used in selected patients at experienced centers.

The diagnostic role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in exudative pleural effusion and follow-up results in patients with nonspecific pleuritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in exudative pleural effusions, and to evaluated the frequency of malignancy development with long term follow-up of patients defined as nonspecific pleuritis after surgery. . METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, and comprised data of patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions seen between January 2008 and December 2013. Data related to clinical, radiological, thoracoscopical, histopathological and follow-up periods were obtained from the hospital records. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 229 patients, 145(63.3%) were males and 84(36.7%) were females. The overall mean age was 54.5 }15.1 years. Malignancy was found in 84 (36.6%) patients, and tuberculosis in 26(11.4%). The remaining 119(52%) patients had nonspecific pleuritis and their mean follow-up period was 29.2}27.1 months (range: 1-103 months). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was repeated in 3(2.52%) patients in the 1st, 4th and 16th months of followup period due to the recurrence of pleural effusion. Tuberculosis and mesothelioma were diagnosed in 1(0.8%) and 2(1.7%) cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was found to be a valuable diagnostic procedure in patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion.

Transcervical mediastinoscopy in patients with a permanent tracheostomy: is it feasible?

OBJECTIVES: Cervical mediastinoscopy may become essential in patients with pathological lymph nodes at mediastinum after laryngectomy. However, having had a previous tracheostomy has been reported to be a contraindication for cervical mediastinoscopy. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2017, cervical mediastinoscopy was performed for lung cancer staging in 1985 patients at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Eighteen of these patients (1%) had a permanent tracheostomy after total laryngectomy and cervical radiotherapy due to laryngeal carcinoma. RESULTS: Cervical mediastinoscopy was performed in 18 patients with a permanent tracheostomy after total laryngectomy. The negative predictive value of cervical mediastinoscopy was 13/14 (93%). The average operative time was 63 min (SD 12.0, range 50-90 min). The negative predictive value of endobronchial ultrasonography was 4/7 (57%). Positron emission tomography-computed tomography had a positive predictive value of 3/15 (20%) and a negative predictive value of 2/3 (67%). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the claims of 2 textbooks, cervical mediastinoscopy is a viable method for patients with a tracheostomy after laryngectomy. The negative predictive values of standard cervical mediastinoscopy and mediastinoscopy for patients with a tracheostomy after total laryngectomy are approximately equivalent. Our results indicate that cervical mediastinoscopy is a feasible method in patients with a permanent tracheostomy when applied by experienced thoracic surgeons in specialized hospitals.

Are flexible bronchoscopic cryoextraction practices an alternative to rigid bronchoscopy?

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of flexible bronchoscopic cryoextraction in the treatment of airw ay obstruction arise from mucus plugs and blood clots and present our experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study evaluated patients who previously underwent unsuccessful flexible bronchoscopy for the removal of secretions and blood clots in the central airway and who underwent flexible bronchoscopic cryoextraction between January 2013-November 2017. RESULT: The study included seven patients with a mean age of 58.29 ± 18.56 years (28-76). Three patients underwent bedside intervention in the intensive care unit, and four patients underwent an intervention in the bronchoscopy unit. Seven patients underwent a total of nine sessions of cryoextraction. Severe complications or mortality did not occur during the cryoextraction sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible bronchoscopic cryoextraction offers a safe treatment strategy as an alternative to rigid bronchoscopy in patients in whom airway patency cannot be achieved using other flexible bronchoscopic interventions. and accuracy of PET was higher compared to CT with this cut-off value.

Unexpected conversion to thoracotomy during thoracoscopic lobectomy: a single-center analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to discuss indications and outcomes for conversion to thoracotomy during thoracoscopic lobectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer between January 2012 and December 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. The study included 129 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (group-V) and 18 patients converted from thoracoscopic lobectomy to thoracotomy due to unexpected intraoperative complications (group-T). RESULTS: The two patient groups showed no statistical differences in terms of demographic characteristics. Causes of unexpected conversions to thoracotomy were hemorrhage in six patients, dense pleural adhesions in seven patients, fused fissure in one patient, and fibrocalcified lymph nodes around the vascular structures in four patients. Operative time was 180.37 ± 68.6 min in group-V and 235 ± 72.6 min in group-T (p = 0.003). Intraoperative blood loss was 263.9 ± 180.6 mL in group-V, compared to 562.7 ± 296.2 mL in group-T (p < 0.001). Patient age ≥ 70 years was a significant risk factor for conversion to thoracotomy (p = 0.015, odds ratio 4.73). The 5-year survival rate in group-V was 71.4% {mean: 65.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 59.6-70.8]}, while that in group-T was 80% [mean 54.9 months (95% CI 45.9-63.8)] (p = 0.548). CONCLUSION: Advanced age was identified as the main risk factor for conversion to thoracotomy. However, early- and long-term outcomes were similar in the two groups, indicating that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a safe and applicable method.

The Effectiveness of Sterile Wound Drapes in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection in Thoracic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) has decreased in parallel to advances in sterilization techniques. Such infections increase morbidity and hospitalization costs. The use of iodine-impregnated sterile wound drapes (SWDs) is recommended to prevent or reduce the incidence of these infections. However, there is a paucity of data regarding their use in thoracic surgical procedures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sterile wound drapes in the prevention of these infections and the effects on hospitalization costs. METHODS: Perioperative iodine-impregnated SWDs have been used since January 2015 in the Thoracic Surgery Clinic of our hospital. A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who underwent anatomic pulmonary resection via thoracotomy with SWD in the period January 2015-2017, compared with a control group who underwent the same surgery without SWD in the 2-year period before January 2015. Factors that may have increased the risk of surgical site infection were documented and the occurrence of SSI was recorded from postoperative follow-up data. The cost analysis was performed as an important criterion to investigate the benefits of SWD. RESULTS: Evaluation was made of 654 patients in the study group (n:380) using SWD, the operation time was significantly longer, and perioperative blood transfusion was significantly higher, whereas treatment costs (p=0.0001) and wound culture positivity (p=0.004) were significantly lower and less surgical wound debridement was performed (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the use of sterile wound draping in thoracic surgery procedures reduces surgical site infections and hospitalization costs.

Long-term outcomes of completion pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Completion pneumonectomy (CP) is the removal of remaining lung tissue after initial resection. Our aim in this study was to investigate the factors affecting mortality, morbidity, and survival after CP. Methods: Patients who underwent CP in our clinic between January 2000 and December 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients' demographic information, morbidity, mortality, histopathological characteristics, and 2-, 5-, and 10-year survival were evaluated. Results: Of the 32 non-small cell lung cancer patients in the study, 31 (96.9%) were male and one (3.1%) was female. The postoperative mortality rate was 9.4% and the morbidity rate was 46.9%. The most common complication was atrial fibrillation (31.3%). Median survival time was 67 ± 10.3 months; 5- and 10-year survival rates were 50.3 and 31.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Completion pneumonectomy involves an acceptable mortality rate but high morbidity rate. Based on the results of this study, the interval between initial resection and CP does not affect survival time.

Synchronous chondrosarcoma originating from two distant ribs.

A chondrosarcoma is a rare bone tumour derived from cartilage-producing malignant mesenchymal cells. A 25- year-old male patient was operated upon to treat a chondrosarcoma arising in the left 2nd and 6th ribs. The tumour underwent en bloc wide resection in collaboration with a plastic surgeon for reconstruction of the resected area. Costal chondrasarcoma is very rare but chondrosarcoma arising from two ribs at the same time has not been reported before in the literature.

A case of surgically treated bilateral metachronous malignant pleural mesothelioma.

In this article, we present a 59-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital with right pleural effusion and right-sided chest pain and diagnosed as malignant pleural mesothelioma with thoracentesis and pleural biopsy. After the patient was determined to be operable, right parietal pleurectomy + pericardial resection + diaphragmatic resection were performed and four cycles of cisplatin and pemetrexed combination as adjuvant treatment were added. The patient was followed-up without any problem for three and a half years. At this time, left-sided chest pain and leftsided effusion were noticed. Tumor was negative in thoracentesis and pleural biopsy. Then, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was applied, which resulted in Stage 1a malignant pleural mesothelioma. Thoracoscopic parietal pleurectomy was performed with success. Four cycles of pemetrexed single-agent therapy was performed as an adjuvant treatment. The patient died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure in 57th month of the first and 21st month of the second operation while he was tumor free. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first operated bilateral metachronous primary malignant pleural mesothelioma in the literature.

Videothoracoscopic lobectomy training in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomies performed by a training consultant or an experienced consultant. METHODS: The study included 103 patients (81 males, 22 females; mean age 59.6±9.5 years; range, 32 to 84 years) who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy due to non-small cell lung cancer. The training consultant assisted on the same side with the experienced consultant during the operations of the experienced consultant. The experienced consultant observed in the operating room and provided advice from a distance during the first five operations of the training consultant. Comorbidities, postoperative complications, and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients" demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were similar between the two surgeons (p>0.05). Operative time, incidence of prolonged air leak, and length of hospital stay were higher in procedures performed by the training consultant (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in rates of life-threatening complications or mortality. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy can be performed safely by surgeons in training. Effective training programs may produce outcomes comparable to those of experienced surgeons.

A rare intrathoracic mass: Accessory liver lobe.

A heterotopic, supradiaphragmatic liver tissue is an extremely rare entitiy. It is usually asymptomatic and is often detected incidentally. Herein, we report a female case who had coughinduced occasional back and chest pain and in whom an intrathoracic paravertebral mass was radiographically detected.

Comparison of awake and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the diagnosis of pleural diseases: A prospective multicenter randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the safety and diagnostic accuracy of awake and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the diagnosis of pleural diseases. METHODS: This prospective randomized study was conducted between October 2016 and April 2018 and included 293 patients (201 males, 92 females; mean age 53.59 years; range, 18 to 90 years) from five medical centers experienced in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The patients were randomized into two groups as awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with sedoanalgesia (non-intubated) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with general anesthesia (intubated). Patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions and pleural pathologies such as nodules and masses were included. Conditions such as pain, agitation, and hypoxia were indications for intubation. The groups were compared in terms of demographic data, postoperative pain, operative time, complications, diagnostic accuracy of the procedures, and cost. All patients completed a follow-up period of at least 12 months for samples that were non-specific, suspicious for malignancy or inadequate. RESULTS: Awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 145 and intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 148 patients. Pleural disease was unilateral in 83% (243/293) and bilateral in 17% (50/293) of the patients. There was no difference between the groups in terms of presence of comorbidity (p=0.149). One patient in the awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (0.6%) was converted to general anesthesia due to refractory pain and agitation. As postoperative complications, fluid drainage and pneumonia were observed in one patient in the awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (0.6%) and fluid drainage was detected in one patient in the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (0.6%). There were no differences in pain intensity measured with visual analog scale at postoperative 4, 8, 12, or 24 hours (p>0.05). Distribution and rates of postoperative pathological diagnoses were also similar (p=0.171). Both operative cost and total hospital cost were lower in the awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (p<0.001, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is safe, has similar reliability and diagnostic accuracy compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery performed under general anesthesia, and is less costly. Awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be the first method of choice in all patients, not only in those with comorbidities.