Safety and feasibility of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Conventional video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a feasible and safe surgery in high-volume centers with significant VATS experience. Uniportal VATS lobectomy has been recently been reported to be a promising, less invasive approach. The purpose of this study is to explore the safety and feasibility of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced NSCLC. Methods: From January 2013 to September 2015, a total of 132 patients with locally advanced NSCLC underwent U-VATS or open thoracotomy major pulmonary resections and standard mediastinal lymph node dissection. Patients were divided into two groups: (I) locally advanced NSCLC underwent U-VATS (U-VATS); (II) locally advanced NSCLC underwent open thoracotomy (open). A descriptive and retrospective study was performed, including the operative time, operative blood loss, postoperative chest tube duration, postoperative hospital stay, lymph node dissection, postoperative complications and postoperative recovery. Results: A total of 132 patients with locally advanced NSCLC were included in this study: 64 (U-VATS) vs. 68 (open) patients. The patient demographic data was similar in both groups. Median operative time (157.0 vs. 160.6) and median number of lymph nodes (35.5 vs. 32.5) were similar in both groups. Chest tube duration and hospital of stay were statistically shorter in U-VATS group while rate of complications were higher in open thoracotomy group. One patient died on the 55th postoperative day because of tumor metastasis and bronchopleural fistula. A higher percentage of patients who underwent UVATS resections were able to receive adjuvant therapy timely compared to the open group. Conclusions: Uniportal VATS major pulmonary resections and mediastinal lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible procedure for the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC. Particularly it is suitable for the frail patients with locally advanced NSCLC who require comprehensive treatment.