Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
05:39
Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Published on: May 26, 2023
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery segmentectomy: a safe and effective procedure.
Bradley G Leshnower1, Daniel L Miller, Felix G Fernandez
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Joseph B Whitehead Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|April 27, 2010
Summary
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy offers a safer alternative to open segmentectomy for lung cancer patients. This minimally invasive approach leads to fewer complications and shorter hospital stays, making it ideal for small tumors and patients with reduced cardiopulmonary reserve.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Anatomic sublobar resection is being evaluated as an alternative to lobectomy for lung cancers under 2 cm.
- Open segmentectomy is a recognized oncologic procedure for patients with compromised cardiopulmonary function or comorbidities.
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) offers a potential minimally invasive alternative to open segmentectomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the safety and efficacy of VATS segmentectomy versus open segmentectomy.
- To evaluate outcomes for patients undergoing segmentectomy for primary lung cancer, metastatic disease, or benign conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 41 patients who underwent segmentectomy between May 2002 and March 2009.
- Comparison of outcomes between 26 patients undergoing open thoracotomy and 15 patients undergoing VATS segmentectomy.
- Analysis of operative time, complications, chest tube duration, and hospital stay.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in operative time, tumor size, or lymph node sampling between VATS and open groups.
- VATS segmentectomy group showed significantly reduced chest tube duration and hospital stay.
- Major complications occurred in 19% of the open group versus 0% in the VATS group.
- Two operative deaths occurred, both in the open group.
Conclusions:
- VATS segmentectomy is a safe and effective procedure with fewer complications and shorter hospital stays compared to open segmentectomy.
- VATS segmentectomy may be the preferred oncologic procedure for small lung cancers (<2 cm) and patients with limited cardiopulmonary reserve or comorbidities.
