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Uniportal VATS: the first German experience.
Mahmoud Ismail1, Melanie Helmig1, Marc Swierzy1
11 Charité Kompetenzzentrum für Thoraxchirurgie, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany ; 3 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Unit (UCTMI), Coruña, Spain ; 4 Department of Cardiac Surgery, Coruña University Hospital, Coruña, Spain.
This study shows uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a safe and effective technique for various thoracic procedures in Germany. Early results indicate promising perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing uniportal VATS.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
Background:
- Growing acceptance of uniportal VATS for thoracic procedures in Europe.
- This study marks the first experience with uniportal VATS in Germany.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of uniportal VATS in Germany.
- To analyze perioperative outcomes for various thoracic procedures using uniportal VATS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 56 uniportal VATS procedures (06/2012-06/2014).
- Procedures included diagnostic aims, pleurectomies, wedge resections, segmentectomies, and major resections without rib spreading.
- Analysis of demographic data, perioperative management, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Procedures encompassed wedge resections (53.6%), major resections (16.1%), segment resections (10.7%), and others (19.6%).
- Mean operative times varied by procedure type, with major resections taking the longest (252 minutes median).
- Low conversion rate (3 cases), with a mean chest tube duration of 3.4 days and mean hospital stay of 8.3 days.
Conclusions:
- Uniportal VATS is a feasible and safe surgical technique for diverse thoracic indications.
- The perioperative results demonstrate promising outcomes for patients.
- Successful implementation requires thoracic surgeons experienced in postero-lateral thoracotomy.
