[Port-access lobectomy for lung cancer: experience in the single institute]

We reviewed the data on 171 patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer via 5 access ports at our institution between April 2005 and May 2008. Port-access lobectomy was completed in 153 patients and conversions to open thoracotomy were required in 18 patients. Among the above 153 patients, mean operative time was 145 minutes and the mean blood loss was 159 ml. Morbidity rate was 12% and mortality rate was 0.7%. Pathologic study demonstrated stage I in 106 patients (69%), stage II in 16 patients (11%), and stage III in 31 patients (20%). At mean follow-up of 635 days after surgery, the overall 3-year survival rates of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer at stage I, stage II, and stage III were 88%, 80%, and 79%, respectively. Port-access lobectomy with mediastinal lymph nodes dissection for lung cancer is feasible with low morbidity and mortality rates. Long-term outcomes should be reviewed in the near feature.