Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Subcostal Specimen Removal in Completely Portal Robotic Lobectomy
Published on: April 19, 2024
Uniportal non-intubated lung metastasectomy
Tommaso Claudio Mineo1, Francesco Sellitri1, Eleonora Fabbi2
1Department of Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Background:
More than 15 years ago, we started a program of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopies (VATS) lung metastasectomy in non-intubated local anesthesia. Hereby we present the short and long-term results of this combined surgical-anesthesiological technique.
Methods:
Between 2005 and 2015, 71 patients (37 men and 34 women) with pulmonary oligometastases, at the first episode, underwent uniportal VATS metastasectomy under non-intubated anesthesia.
Results:
Four patients (5.6%) required intubation for intolerance. Mean number of lesions resected per patient was 1.51. There was no mortality. The study group demonstrated a significant reduction of operative time from the beginning of the experience (P=0.001), good level of consciousness at Richmond scale and quality of recovery after both 24 and 48 hours. Median hospital stay was 3 days and major morbidity rate was 5.5%. Both disease-free survival and overall survival were similar to those achieved with intubated surgery.
Conclusions:
VATS lung metastasectomy in non-intubated local anesthesia was safely performed in selected patients with oligometastases with significant advantages in overall operative time, hospital stay and economical costs. Long-term results were similar.
