Feasibility and learning curve of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy

Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) segmentectomy is an acceptable alternative to lobectomy for treating early-stage lung cancer. Uniportal VATS segmentectomy is a challenging surgical procedure that has substantial technical difficulties and complications. In this study, we reviewed our experience of uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy and evaluated the feasibility and learning curve of this procedure.

Retrospective observational data of 70 patients who underwent uniportal VATS segmentectomy between May 2014 and July 2015 were collected. Perioperative factors, such as demographic characteristics, operation time, blood loss, the number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes and nodal stations, conversion rate to three-port VATS or thoracotomy, postoperative complications, duration of chest drainage, and postoperative hospital stay, were reviewed. Cumulative summative analysis and one-way ANOVA were used to identify the learning curve of uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy.

Forty cases were included in the study. The patients were equally divided into four groups according to the sequence of surgery. Twelve patients were men and the mean age was 53.7±8.3 years. The mean operation time was 174.2±51.5 minutes and mean blood loss was 81.9±57.4 mL. There were no differences in demographic characteristics, blood loss, number of removed lymph nodes, chest tube duration, and hospital stay among the groups. However, the operation time in group 4 was significantly shorter than that in groups 1-3 (P=0.012). The learning curve showed that after 33 patients, the operation time was less than the conventional average operation time. There was no conversion to three-port VATS, two-port VATS or open thoracotomy. Three patients had postoperative complications and all of them recovered after treatment. No patient needed reoperation. There was no postoperative 30-day-related death.

Uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy is a safe and feasible technique for treating small pulmonary lesions, with acceptable morbidity and mortality. This technique can be applied to an operation for segments that are technically difficult and anatomically variant. An experienced surgeon can achieve a relatively stable level after 33 cases.