Radicality and safety of mediastinal lymphadenectomy in lung resection: a comparative analysis of uniportal thoracoscopic, multiportal thoracoscopic, and thoracotomy approaches.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer poses a significant challenge with high mortality rates. Minimally invasive surgical approaches, including the uniportal thoracoscopic technique, offer potential benefits in terms of recovery and patient compliance. This study focuses on evaluating the radicality of mediastinal lymphadenectomy during uniportal thoracoscopic lung resection, specifically assessing the reachability of established lymphatic stations. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted at the University Hospital Ostrava from January 2015 to July 2022, focusing on the evaluation of radicality in mediastinal lymphadenectomy across three patient subgroups: uniportal thoracoscopic approach, multiportal thoracoscopic approach, and thoracotomy approach. The study implemented the routine identification and excision of 8 lymph node stations from the respective hemithorax to assess the radicality of lymph node harvesting. RESULTS: A total of 428 patients were enrolled and evaluated. No significant differences were observed in the number of lymph nodes removed between the subgroups. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 6.50 in the left hemithorax and 6.49 in the right hemithorax. The 30-day postoperative morbidity rate for the entire patient population was 27.3%, with 17.5% experiencing minor complications and 6.5% experiencing major complications. Statistically significant differences were observed in major complications between the uniportal approach and the thoracotomy approach (3.5% vs 12.0%, p = 0.002). The overall mortality rate in the study population was 3%, with a statistically significant difference in mortality between the uniportal and multiportal approaches (1.0% vs 6.4%, p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The uniportal approach demonstrated comparable accessibility and lymph node yield to multiportal and thoracotomy techniques. It is equivalent to established methods in terms of postoperative complications, with fewer major complications compared to thoracotomy. While our study indicates a potential for lower mortality following uniportal lung resection in comparison to multiportal lung resection, and demonstrates comparable outcomes to thoracotomy, it is important to approach these findings cautiously and refrain from drawing definitive conclusions.

Radioisotope-Guided Excision of Mediastinal Lymph Nodes in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Feasibility and Clinical Impact.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative localisation of nodal disease in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be challenging. Lymph node localisation via radiopharmaceuticals is used in many conditions; we tested the feasibility of this approach in NSCLC. METHODS: NSCLC patients were prospectively recruited. Intraoperative peri-tumoral injections of [99mTc]Tc-albumin nanocolloids were performed, followed by removing the tumour and locoregional lymph nodes. These were examined ex vivo with a gamma probe and labelled sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) if they showed any activity or non-sentinel lymph nodes (nSLNs) if they did not. Thereafter, the surgical field was scanned with the probe; any further radioactive lymph node was removed and labelled as "extra" SLNs (eSLNs). All specimens were sent to histology, and metastatic status was recorded. RESULTS: 48 patients were enrolled, and 290 nodal stations were identified: 179 SLNs, 87 nSLNs, and 24 eSLNs. A total of 44 nodal metastases were identified in 22 patients, with 36 of them (82%) located within SLNs. Patients with nSLNs metastases had at least a co-existing positive SLN. No metastases were found in eSLNs. CONCLUSIONS: The technique shows high sensitivity for intraoperative nodal metastases identification. This information could allow selective lymphadenectomies in low-risk patients or more aggressive approaches in high-risk patients.

Linfadenectomía mediastinal por muestreo vs. linfadenectomía completa en el cáncer pulmonar / Sampling Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy versus Complete Lymphadenectomy in Lung Cancer

Introducción: El muestreo y la linfadenectomía completa son técnicas de acceso al mediastino. Su evaluación permite definir la conducta en el enfermo con cáncer del pulmón. Objetivo: Determinar los resultados de supervivencia en los enfermos con lesiones resecables por cáncer de pulmón con linfadenectomía completa o linfadenectomía por muestreo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal tipo serie de casos en 118 pacientes con lesiones resecables de cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas. El total de pacientes se subdividieron en dos grupos. A los 73 enfermos pertenecientes al grupo A se les realizó linfadenectomía por muestreo (1996-2010), mientras que a los 45 del grupo B se les realizó linfadenectomía completa (2011-2019). Se analizaron las complicaciones y la supervivencia a los cinco años. Resultados: Se resecaron mayor cantidad de ganglios por paciente y por regiones en la linfadenectomía completa, con una supervivencia de 50,6 por ciento, superior al 39,7por ciento obtenido en el grupo donde se realizó un muestreo. No se recogieron complicaciones inherentes a las técnicas quirúrgicas. Conclusiones: Los pacientes operados con resección y linfadenectomía completa tuvieron mayor sobrevida que los intervenidos mediante resección y linfadenectomía por muestreo(AU)

Introduction: Sampling or complete lymphadenectomy are techniques for accessing the mediastinum. Their assessment allows to define the approach in patients with lung cancer. Objective: To determine survival outcomes in ill patients with resectable lesions due to lung cancer after complete or sampling lymphadenectomies. Methods: A longitudinal case series study was performed in 118 patients with resectable lesions of nonsmall-cell lung cancer. All the patients were divided into two groups. The 73 ill patients from group A underwent sampling lymphadenectomy (1996-2010), while the 45 patients from group B underwent complete lymphadenectomy (2011-2019). Complications and five-year survival were analyzed. Results: A higher amount of nodes were resected per patient and per region in complete lymphadenectomy, with a survival of 50.6 por ciento, higher than the 39.7 por ciento corresponding to the sampling group. No complications inherent to the surgical techniques were collected. Conclusions: Patients operated on by resection and complete lymphadenectomy had higher survival figures than those operated on by resection and sampling lymphadenectomy(AU)

Perioperative outcomes of robotic lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients.

Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery has become the standard for the early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The appropriateness of the kind of lung resection for the elderly patients is still debated. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with older than 75 years who underwent robotic lobectomy between May 2016 to June 2022. We selected 103 patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study. The preoperative cardiorespiratory functional evaluations were collected, and the risk of postoperative complications was calculated according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index, the American College of Surgery surgical risk calculator (ACS-NSQIP), EVAD score, and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score. The patients were divided in two groups according to the presence of postoperative complications. Results: Forty-three patients were female, and 72.8% of the total population were former or active smokers. Thirty-five patients reported postoperative complications. The analysis of the two groups showed that the predicted postoperative forced expiratory volumes in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly lower in patients presenting postoperative complications (p=0.04). Moreover, the upstaging rate and the unexpected nodal metastases were higher in the postoperative complication groups. Conclusion: Robotic-assisted lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer is a safe and feasible approach in selected elderly patients. The factors that could predict the complication rate was the predicted postoperative FEV1 and the nodal disease.

Robotic esophagectomy and 3-field lymphadenectomy with intraoperative nerve monitoring.

The standard of care for esophageal malignancies has evolved over the years from open transthoracic esophagectomy to a minimally invasive approach due to the reduction in surgical trauma and significant impact on postoperative outcomes. Minimally invasive approaches include video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. These minimally invasive approaches have an attendant learning curve that early-career surgeons are required to negotiate before achieving proficiency in the procedure. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a particularly significant problem, especially in the presence of enlarged supracarinal lymph nodes, which mandate a 3-field lymphadenectomy. With technological advances and the use of intraoperative nerve monitoring, iatrogenic nerve injury can at best be avoided or at least be recognized, and corrective measures can be undertaken to reduce postoperative morbidity. In this video tutorial, we demonstrate a standard robot-assisted esophagectomy and a 3-field lymphadenectomy with the use of intraoperative nerve monitoring followed by an esophagogastric anastomosis with the triangulating stapling technique.

Video-assisted superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy for papillary thyroid cancer: a case report.

Superior mediastinal lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer are uncommon. The clinical characteristics and surgical strategy of superior mediastinal lymph node metastases remain unclear. Superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy can be accomplished either by a transcervical or transsternal approach. Transsternal approach for superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy can cause great damage; transcervical approach sometimes results in inadequate exposure. Here we report our experience of a papillary thyroid cancer patient with superior mediastinal lymph node metastases who underwent video-assisted superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy. A 49-year-old woman diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in left thyroid underwent unilateral lobectomy and ipsilateral central and lateral node dissection in the local hospital 4 years ago. Currently lymph node metastases were found in mediastinum and the right neck, some of which were adjacent to the right innominate vein. Unilateral lobectomy, ipsilateral central and lateral node dissection, and video-assisted superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy were successfully performed by transcervical approach. Subsequently, the patient received thyroxine suppression therapy and adjuvant radioiodine treatment. Video-assisted superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy, providing adequate exposure for a complete superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy, is proved to be safe and feasible.

[Dissection borders of laparoscopic lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction and the quality control].

The lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy is indicated for adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG), while the laparoscopic procedure shows some advantages. According to previous studies and results of IDEAL phase 2a study in our institute, the following structures are recommended as the dissection borders: the upper (cranial) is inferior wall of pericardium and pulmonary ligament; the lower (caudal) is diaphragm hiatus (esophagogastric junction); the front (ventral) is anterior inferior wall of pericardium and diaphragm; the back (dorsal) is anterior wall of aorta; the lateral is mediastinal pleura. The standard of quality control is still under investigation.

The Value of Paratracheal Lymphadenectomy in Esophagectomy for Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus or Gastroesophageal Junction: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The role of upper mediastinal lymphadenectomy for distal esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas remains a matter of debate. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of evidence on the incidence of nodal metastases in the upper mediastinum following transthoracic esophagectomy for distal esophageal or GEJ adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases up to November 2020 to include studies on patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with upper mediastinal lymphadenectomy for distal esophageal and/or GEJ adenocarcinoma. The primary endpoint was the incidence of metastatic nodes in the upper mediastinum based on pathological examination. Secondary endpoints were the definition of upper mediastinal lymphadenectomy, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy rate and survival. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were included and the sample sizes ranged from 10-634 patients. Overall, the median incidence of upper mediastinal lymph node metastases was 10.0% (IQR 4.7-16.7). The incidences of upper mediastinal lymph node metastases were 8.3% in the 7 studies that included patients undergoing primary resection (IQR 2.0-16.6), 4,4% in the 1 study that provided neoadjuvant therapy to the full cohort, and 10.6% in the 9 studies that included patients undergoing esophagectomy either with or without neoadjuvant therapy (IQR 8.9-15.8%). Data on survival and RLN palsy rates were scarce and inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of upper mediastinal lymph node metastases in distal esophageal adenocarcinoma is up to 10%. Morbidity should be weighed against potential impact on survival.

Dissection borders of laparoscopic lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction and the quality control / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy is indicated for adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG), while the laparoscopic procedure shows some advantages. According to previous studies and results of IDEAL phase 2a study in our institute, the following structures are recommended as the dissection borders: the upper (cranial) is inferior wall of pericardium and pulmonary ligament; the lower (caudal) is diaphragm hiatus (esophagogastric junction); the front (ventral) is anterior inferior wall of pericardium and diaphragm; the back (dorsal) is anterior wall of aorta; the lateral is mediastinal pleura. The standard of quality control is still under investigation.

Selective Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy or Complete Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy for Clinical Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Selective mediastinal lymphadenectomy (SML) and complete mediastinal lymphadenectomy (CML) are two main types of surgery conducted for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) plus lobectomy or segmentectomy. It is not known whether stage I NSCLC can benefit from CML. Using the meta-analytical method, our research aimed to find out the worth of SML and CML for the therapy of clinical stage I NSCLC. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Ovid, MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trial Register (CENTRAL), Embase, and Google Scholar for literature published up to June 2021 to evaluate the comparative research and to assess the post-operative complications, overall survival rate, disease-free survival rate, and local and distant recurrence. This meta-analysis was conducted by combining the results of the reported incidences of post-operative complications, local and distant recurrence, and short- and long-term mortality. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals were calculated by random or fixed effects models to compare the effectiveness between these two methods. RESULTS: Five retrospective studies and one randomized controlled trial study were included in our research. The six studies included a total of 5713 patients, of whom 1480 were assigned to the SML group and 4233 were assigned to the CML group. No statistically significant differences were found in the 1- and 5-year overall survival rates or the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates between the two groups. However, the 3-year overall survival favored the SML group (P < 0.05). There were also no statistically significant differences between the local and distant metastasis. Among the postoperative complications, pneumonia, atelectasis, and prolonged air leak were more common in the CML group (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the prevalence of dysrhythmia, chylothorax, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury between the two groups, which may be due to the limited sample size. CONCLUSION: Considering the comparable survival rates, disease control, and fewer postoperative complications in the evaluated participants, SML is the preferred treatment with less invasiveness for clinical stage I NSCLC.

Nodal Upstaging Evaluation After Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy for Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Compared to Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery and Thoracotomy: A Retrospective Single Center Analysis.

Introduction: The standard surgical procedures for patients with early-stage NSCLC is lobectomy-associated radical lymphadenectomy performed by using the thoracotomy approach. In the last few years, minimally invasive techniques have increasingly strengthened their role in lung cancer treatment, especially in the early stage of the disease. Although the lobectomy technique has been accepted, controversy still surrounds lymph node dissection. In our study, we analyze the rate of upstaging early non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent radical surgical treatment using the robotic and the VATS techniques compared to the standard thoracotomy approach. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent a lobectomy and radical lymphadenectomy at our Institute between 2010 and 2019. We selected 505 patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study: 237 patients underwent robotic surgery, 158 patients had thoracotomy, and 110 patients were treated with VATS. We analyzed the demographic features between the groups as well as the nodal upstaging rate after pathological examination, the number of dissected lymph nodes and the ratio of dissected lymph nodes to metastatic lymph nodes of the three groups. Results: The patients of the three groups were homogenous with respect to age, sex, and histology. The postoperative major morbidity rate was significantly higher in the thoracotomy group, and hospital stay was significantly longer. The percentage of the mediastinal nodal upstaging rate and the number of dissected lymph nodes was significantly higher in the robotic group compared with the VATS group. The ratio of dissected lymph nodes to metastatic lymph nodes was significantly lower compared with the VATS group and the thoracotomy group. Discussion: The prognostic impact of the R(un) status is still highly debated. A surgical approach that allows better results in terms of resection has still not been defined. Our results show that robotic surgery is a safe and feasible approach especially regarding the accuracy of mediastinal lymphadenectomy. These findings can lead to defining a more precise pathological stage of the disease and, if necessary, to more accurate postoperative treatment.

Extent of mediastinal nodal dissection in stage I non-small cell lung cancer with a radiological pure-solid appearance.

BACKGROUND: Radiological pure-solid lung cancer denotes a high invasive nature compared to one that is part-solid. Mediastinal lymph nodal dissection (mLND) is a standard surgical procedure for nodal management in lung cancer surgery, however, the prognostic impact of the extent of mLND in pure-solid lung cancer is still unknown. METHODS: We reviewed 459 patients with c-stage I radiological pure-solid lung cancer that underwent pulmonary lobectomy with mLND. Pure-solid was defined as a tumor showing only a consolidation without any ground glass opacity. The extent of mLND was classified into lobe-specific (L-mLND) and systematic (S-mLND). Prognostic significance of mLND was assessed by a multivariable analysis using propensity-score matching. Survivals were calculated by Kaplan-Meier methods using log-rank test. RESULTS: Pathological nodal metastasis was found in 127 (27.6%) patients (hilar: 52 (11.3%), mediastinal: 75 (16.3%)). L-mLND was performed in 278 (61%) patients. A multivariable analysis did not show the survival difference for the extent of mLND (p = 0.266). The 5-year overall survival (OS) was not significantly different between S-mLND and L-mLND (74.3% vs. 72.7%, p = 0.712), which was similar even in 114 propensity-score matched pairs (78.8% vs. 79.9%, p = 0.665). While S-mLND showed a trend for survival benefit compared to L-mLND provided that the tumor showed higher standardized uptake value (SUVmax) (5y-OS: 70.0% vs. 59.2%, p = 0.093). CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic impact of L-mLND was similar to S-mLND in c-stage I radiological pure-solid lung cancers in the propensity-score matched comparison. Among them, higher SUVmax value might be a promising indicator to decide the extent of mediastinal lymphadenectomy.

Pulmonary Mucinous Cystadenoma - A Rare Pathology.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary cystadenoma is a very rare benign tumor of the lung with slow growth rate and most often, asymptomatic. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 58-year-old patient admitted in the hospital for coughing with hemoptoic sputum. Standard thoracic radiography revealed a 4/5 cm macronodular opacity in the right inferior lobe, paracardiac. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) with contrast discovered a 3.8/4.7 cm homogenous mass in the right inferior lobe. After intraoperative assessment of the lesion a lower right lobectomy with mediastinal and local lymphadenectomy was performed. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma is one of the primary pulmonary mucinous cystic neoplasia (PMCT) alongside PMCT of low malignancy and pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (PMCAC). Because of this and because of the clinical and imagistic similarities between these main entities, establishing a preoperative diagnosis becomes very difficult. Therefore, histopathological and immunohistochemistry studies are mandatory in order to establish the correct diagnosis.

Valor de la linfadenectomía mediastinal en la cirugía del cáncer pulmonar / The Value of Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy in Lung Cancer Surgery

RESUMEN Introducción: La evaluación del mediastino en los pacientes que reciben tratamiento quirúrgico por cáncer del pulmón tiene sus orígenes en la necesidad de definir la extensión anatómica de cada estación nodal, lo cual es indispensable para la categorización patológica de los nódulos linfáticos. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la linfadenectomía mediastinal en el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer pulmonar. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico de carácter prospectivo en el período comprendido entre enero de 2015 al 31 de agosto de 2018. El universo estuvo conformado por 96 pacientes con algún tipo de linfadenectomía mediastinal en el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer pulmonar dentro del período señalado. Se utilizaron métodos estadísticos, teóricos y empíricos. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 58,69 ± 9,343, el sexo masculino fue el más afectado y el adenocarcinoma el tipo histológico que predominó. La etapa clínica y patológica mayoritaria fue la III A y la lobectomía superior derecha la intervención más realizada. Se efectuaron un total de 76 disecciones ganglionares sistemáticas, seguidas por 18 muestreos ganglionares y 2 biopsias. Las linfadenectomías realizadas provocaron cambios de estadios en 46 pacientes. El análisis del valor predictivo positivo y negativo, así como de la sensibilidad y la especificidad fueron altos, así como las complicaciones escasas. Conclusiones: La linfadenectomía mediastinal como parte del tratamiento quirúrgico en el cáncer pulmonar constituye un pilar fundamental en la estadificación patológica del TNM, al mostrar una exactitud diagnóstica alta(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Evaluation of the mediastinum in patients receiving surgical treatment for lung cancer has its origins in the need to define the anatomical extension of each node station, which is essential for the pathological categorization of lymph nodes. Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of mediastinal lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of lung cancer. Methods: A prospective and analytical study was carried out in the period from January 2015 to August 31, 2018. The universe consisted of 96 patients with some type of mediastinal lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of lung cancer within the indicated period. Statistical, theoretical and empirical methods were used. Results: The average age was 58.69 ± 9.343. The male sex was the most affected. Adenocarcinoma was the histological type that predominated. The most manifested clinical and pathological stage was III A. Right upper lobectomy was the most performed intervention. A total of 76 systematic lymph node dissections were performed, followed by 18 lymph node samples and two biopsies. The lymphadenectomies performed caused stage changes in 46 patients. The analysis of positive and negative predictive value, as well as sensitivity and specificity, were high. There were few complications. Conclusions: Mediastinal lymphadenectomy as part of the surgical treatment in lung cancer constitutes a fundamental procedure for the pathological staging of TNM, as it shows high diagnostic accuracy(AU)

Impact of histological components on selecting limited lymphadenectomy for lung adenocarcinoma ≤ 2 cm.

OBJECTIVES: There is still some dispute regarding the performance of limited mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LML) even for lung adenocarcinoma ≤ 2 cm. We aimed to recognize the potential candidates who can benefit from LML based on the percentage of histological components (PHC). METHODS: We analyzed 1160 surgical patients with invasive lung adenocarcinoma ≤ 2 cm from seven institutions between January 2012 and December 2015. All histological subtypes were listed in 5% increments by pathological slices. To test the accuracy of frozen section in judging PHC, frozen section slides from 140 cases were reviewed by three pathologists. RESULTS: There were 882 patients with systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy (SML) and 278 with LML. Multivariable analysis indicated that, the total percentage of micropapillary and solid components (PHCMIP+S) > 5 % was the independent predictor of N2 metastasis (P < 0.001). Overall, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) favored SML compared with LML, but the subgroup analysis revealed LML and SML had similar prognosis in the group of PHCMIP+S ≤ 5 %. Moreover, multivariable Cox analysis showed LML (vs. SML) was independently associated with worse prognosis for patients with PHCMIP+S > 5 % (RFS, HR = 2.143, P < 0.001; OS, HR=1.963, P < 0.001), but not for those with PHCMIP+S ≤ 5 % (RFS, P = 0.398; OS, P = 0.298). The sensitivity and specificity of frozen section to intraoperatively identify PHCMIP+S ≤ 5 % were 97.6 % and 84.2 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PHCMIP+S showed the predictive value for N2 metastasis and procedure-specific outcome (LML vs. SML). It may serve as a feasible indicator for identifying proper candidates of LML by using intraoperative frozen section.

Survival After Mediastinal Node Dissection, Systematic Sampling, or Neither for Early Stage NSCLC.

INTRODUCTION: The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0030 found no survival difference between patients with early stage NSCLC who had mediastinal nodal dissection or systematic sampling. However, a meta-analysis of 1980 patients in five randomized controlled trials from 1989 to 2007 associated better survival with nodal dissection. We tested the survival impact of the extent of nodal dissection in curative-intent resections for early stage NSCLC in a population-based observational cohort. METHODS: Resections for clinical T1 or T2, N0 or nonhilar N1, M0 NSCLC in four contiguous United States Hospital Referral Regions from 2009 to 2019 were categorized into mediastinal nodal dissection, systematic sampling, and "neither" on the basis of of the evaluation of lymph node stations. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics, perioperative complication rates, and survival after assessing statistical interactions and confounding. RESULTS: Of the 1942 eligible patients, 18% had nodal dissection, 6% had systematic sampling, and 75% had an intraoperative nodal evaluation that met neither standard. In teaching hospitals, nodal dissection was associated with a lower hazard of death than "neither" resections (0.57 [95% confidence interval: 0.41-0.79]) but not systematic sampling (0.74 [0.40-1.37]) after adjusting for multiple comparisons. There was no significant difference in hazard ratios at nonteaching institutions (p > 0.3 for all comparisons). Perioperative complication rates were not significantly worse after mediastinal nodal dissection or systematic sampling, compared with "neither," (p > 0.1 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: In teaching institutions, mediastinal nodal dissection was associated with superior survival over less-comprehensive pathologic nodal staging. There was no survival difference between teaching and nonteaching institutions, a finding that warrants further investigation.

Minimally invasive mesoesophageal resection.

Based in the anatomical concept of the mesoesophagus, that at subcarinal level all the vessels come through a by-layer connective tissue plane from the aorta to the esophagus whereas supracarinally these structures will come from both sides, with vagal and recurrent laryngeal nerves, a minimally invasive mesoesophageal (MIME) resection model may be described. Based on this surgical plane concept, dissection of esophagus and mediastinal lymphadenectomy can be performed along these structures establishing clear anatomical modules for an adequate oncological resection.

Review of different approaches of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve area for lymphadenectomy during minimally invasive esophagectomy.

In order to perform the total mediastinal lymphadenectomy during minimally invasive esophageal resection, doing the lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (LRLN) may be a difficult part of this intervention. One reason is the need for the correct visualization of the area; another is not wanting to compromise the integrity of the nerve. In this review article the different modalities for approaching this upper mediastinal area by thoracoscopy are described.

Self-made thoracic needled suspending device with a snare: An excellent aid for uniportal video-assisted thoracic lobectomy and segmentectomy for lung cancer.

Safety and feasibility of the self-made thoracic needled suspending device with a snare in the uniportal video-assisted thoracic lobectomy and segmentectomy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer were explored. In total, 80 pulmonary lung major resections (including lobectomy and segmental resections) with systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. In the observation group, the device was used to hang affected lungs, left and right vagus nerve at the level of tracheal bifurcation, the arch of azygos vein, left phrenic nerve and left and right bronchus on the chest wall to offer a better exposure of the operation field. In the control group, the conventional uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed without using the self-made device. Systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy was performed in both groups. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative extubation time, hospital stay and perioperative complications in the early stage of patients in both groups were compared. The operation time 120.2±40.32 min, intraoperative blood loss 100.51±50.23 ml, and postoperative suction drainage volume 208±97.56 ml/day in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in postoperative extubation time, hospital stay and perioperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). The self-made thoracic needled suspending device with a snare is an excellent helper for uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, because it helps to expose surgical field and has no postoperative cicatrisation at puncture point on the wall of the chest. The device and its use are worthy of promotion.

Video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy combined with transcervical thoracoscopy.

Surgical techniques remain the gold standard to diagnose and staging lung and pleural tumours. Non-invasive techniques have become more accurate but actually they are not enough to plan and evaluating prognosis of lung and pleural tumours. In some cases, we need to explore the pleural cavity and the mediastinal lymph node status to confirm or rule out tumour dissemination. The combination of video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA) and thoracoscopy through a single transcervical incision allows the surgeon to widen the range of the exploration and to improve the staging for lung and pleural cancers. VAMLA allows to perform a complete lymphadenectomy of the subcarinal space, the right and pretracheal areas. We consider sampling more safety on the left side to avoid left recurrent nerve injuries. Once this mediastinal tissue is removed, the right mediastinal pleura can be identified and incised. Once mediastinal pleura is opened, a 5 mm 30º thoracoscope is inserted through the video- mediastinoscope into the pleural cavity. It allows to obtain samples of parietal or visceral pleural, pleural fluid or lung nodules if present. In case of left-sided thoracoscopy the access to the left pleural cavity is anterior to the aortic arch as for extended cervical mediastinoscopy. The combination of VAMLA and thoracoscopy is useful to explore the mediastinum and the pleural space from a single incision and in the same surgical setting through the transcervical approach.