[Stump consolidation after video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy]

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Surgical Oncology

Context:

• Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy is a minimally invasive approach for small lung neoplasms.
• Stump consolidation is a potential postoperative complication following VATS segmentectomy.
• Understanding its incidence and predictive factors is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose:

• To determine the incidence of stump consolidation after VATS segmentectomy.
• To identify predictive factors associated with stump consolidation.
• To evaluate the role of surgical technique in preventing this complication.

Summary:

• A study of 70 patients undergoing VATS segmentectomy for lung cancer or metastases found stump consolidation in 7 patients (10%).
• Univariate analysis identified the period of operation as a significant predictive factor.
• Left-sided procedures, particularly S(1+2) segmentectomy, showed a trend towards increased risk, possibly due to stapling workspace and intersegmental plane identification challenges.

Impact:

• Findings suggest that careful attention to surgical technique, especially during left-sided procedures and when intersegmental planes are difficult to identify, may help prevent stump consolidation.
• Consideration of open thoracotomy in complex cases is recommended.
• This research contributes to optimizing VATS segmentectomy outcomes and reducing postoperative morbidity.