[Video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer at Kyoto City Hospital]

From April 1994 to April 2008, we were started on 313 cases video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) operations for primary lung cancer at the thoracic surgical department of Kyoto City Hospital. Exclude cases such as conversion to open surgery, partial resection and double primary cancer, 212 cases were evaluated. Most common surgical approach was 111 lobectomy cases (90%) and pneumonectomy is 3 cases. Histopathologic diagnosis was adenocarcinoma was 74% and squamous cell carcinoma was 22%. There were no intraoperative and hospital death. Most common complications were prolonged air leak in 20 cases (9.4%). Five year survival rate were stage IA 87.8%, IB 71.8%, II 52.4%, III 47.8%, IV 33.3%. Our data demonstrate thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer is a safe procedure and excellent prognosis.