Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths all over the world. The standard treatment for lung cancer is surgery, and a lobectomy or pneumonectomy is performed to remove the affected lung. Traditionally, thoracotomy has been the surgical approach for lung cancer surgery. However, with the advancement in technology, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has emerged as a feasible alternative to thoracotomy.
VATS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves making small incisions and inserting a video camera and surgical instruments into the chest. The camera provides a magnified view of the surgery, allowing the surgeon to perform the operation without making a large incision. VATS has several advantages over thoracotomy, including less blood loss, reduced pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery.
In a recent study published in the Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, researchers examined the feasibility of VATS for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with tumors larger than 5cm. The study compared the intraoperative and postoperative results of VATS and thoracotomy in 60 patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy for the treatment of lung cancer.
The results of the study showed that VATS was a feasible surgical procedure for tumors larger than 5cm. Patients who underwent VATS had a significantly shorter mean drainage time and postoperative length of hospital stay than patients who underwent thoracotomy. KaplanMeier survival analysis showed that overall and recurrence-free survival was longer in the VATS group, and this result was statistically significant.
One of the main advantages of VATS over thoracotomy is the reduced need for non-absorbable thoracotomy sutures. Non-absorbable sutures are commonly used to close the large incision made during thoracotomy. These sutures can cause complications such as infection, suture reaction, dehiscence, and chronic pain. VATS, on the other hand, only requires small incisions, which are closed using absorbable sutures, reducing the risk of complications.
In conclusion, VATS is a feasible surgical procedure for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with tumors larger than 5cm. The advantages of VATS over thoracotomy include less blood loss, reduced pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. Furthermore, VATS reduces the need for non-absorbable thoracotomy sutures, reducing the risk of complications. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer, talk to your doctor to see if VATS is a viable treatment option for you.