Objective To explore the effect of early short-term use of low-dose steroids on early acute lung injury (EALI) after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods Patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in our department from January 2019 to January 2022 were selected for this retrospective cohort study. They were divided into an early steroid treatment group and a control group based on whether steroids were used in the early postoperative period. In the early steroid treatment group, in addition to routine postoperative treatment, low-dose methylprednisolone was administered intravenously, at 80-120 mg/d for 3 consecutive days. In the control group, routine postoperative treatment was given, but no steroids were used in the first 3 days. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan was performed on postoperative day (POD) 1, and POD3 or POD4 to assess lung injury. Chest CT scores, the EALI incidence, the length of hospital stay, and the incidence of poor incision healing were recorded. ResultsA total of 521 patients were included, consisting of 255 males and 266 females, aged 11-80 years. There were 203 patients in the early steroid treatment group and 318 patients in the control group. On POD1, the incidence of EALI was 16.0% in the control group and 13.8% in the steroid group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in the CT scores of patients with EALI in the two groups (P>0.05). On POD3/4, the incidence of EALI was 33.6% in the control group and 22.7% in the steroid group, showing a significant difference (P=0.007). When comparing the CT scores of patients with EALI in both groups, the scores were lower in the steroid group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The overall incidence of EALI on POD1-4 was 37.4% in the control group and 26.1% in the steroid group, showing a significant difference (P=0.007). Of these, 28.9% of patients in the control group showed radiological progression, which means new EALI occurred or existing EALI progressed, while the progression rate was 14.8% in the steroid group (P<0.001). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the steroid group compared to the control group (P<0.001), but the incidence of poor incision healing was not (P>0.05). Conclusion Early use of corticosteroids cannot reduce the incidence and severity of EALI on POD1, but it can reduce the incidence of EALI on POD3/4 and decrease the risk of radiological progression, and also lower the overall risk of EALI after surgery, without extended postoperative hospital stays or increased incidence of poor incision healing. Therefore, early postoperative use of low-dose corticosteroids can help to inhibit the occurrence and progression of EALI. It is suggested to use as early as possible especially in patients with high risks of postoperative EALI.
Objective To investigate the impact of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and open lobectomy on perioperative heart rate （HR） and blood oxygen saturation （SO2） of lung cancer patients，and explore whether minimally invasive surgery can enhance postoperative recovery of lung cancer patients. Methods A total of 138 lung cancer patients were chosen from 161 consecutive patients with pulmonary diseases who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University between September 2010 and December 2011. According to different surgical approach，all the 138 lung cancer patients were divided into routine thoracotomy group （thoracotomy group，70 patients including 53 males and 17 females with their average age of 56.1±9.7 years） and complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy group （VATS group，68 patients including 46 males and 22 females with their average age of 53.4±6.5 years）. There was no statistical difference in preoperative clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. Preoperative and postoperative （1st，3rd，7th and 30th day） numeric pain rating scale （NPRS），HR and SO2 were compared between the 2 groups. Results （1） There was no statistical difference in NPRS on the 1st and 3rd postoperative day between the 2 groups （3.83±0.79 vs. 3.93±0.67， 2.88±0.59 vs. 3.03±0.71，P＞0.05），but on the 7th and 30th postoperative day，NPRS of the thoracotomy group was signi- ficantly higher than that of VAST group （1.61±0.33 vs. 1.22±0.12，1.58±0.26 vs. 1.19±0.31，P＜0.05）. （2） Postop- erative sedentary HR of both VATS group and thoracotomy group were significantly higher than preoperative levels ［（84.13±17.21） / minute vs. （73.67±10.32）/minute， （86.13 ±19.67） / minute vs. （72.24±14.21） / minute， P＜0.05］. Postoperative HR of VATS group decreased to preoperative level on the 3rd postoperative day，while postoperative HR of the thoracotomy group decreased to preoperative level on the 7th postoperative day. （3） There was no statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative （all the time points） sedentary SO2 of both VATS group and thoracotomy group （96.34 %±2.11% vs. 97.12%±2.31%，95.33%±4.13% vs. 94.93% ±4.31%，P＞0.05）.（4） The changes of HR and SO2 before and after exercise of VATS group were significantly smaller than those of the thoracotomy group on the 3rd postoperative day ［（11.11±4.81）/minute vs. （18.23±6.17）/minute，3.1%±1.2% vs. 7.4 %±2.7%，P＜0.05］ . Conclusion The impact of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy on cardiopulmonary function is comparatively smaller，which is helpful for postoperative fast-track recovery of lung cancer patients.
Objective To investigate the relationship between preoperative mean daily step counts and pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly patients. Methods From 2018 to 2021, the elderly patients with pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy were included. A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed with patients without pulmonary complications. The clinical data were compared between the two groups. ResultsTotally, 100 elderly patients with pulmonary complications were enrolled, including 78 males and 22 females, aged 66.4±4.5 years. And 100 patients without pulmonary complications were matched, including 71 males and 29 females aged 66.2±5.0 years. There was no significant difference in the preoperative data between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to the patients with pulmonary complications, the ICU stay was shorter (8.1±4.4 h vs. 12.9±7.5 h, P＜0.001), the first out-of-bed activity time was earlier (8.8±4.5 h vs. 11.2±6.1 h, P=0.002), and the tube incubation time was shorter (19.3±9.2 h vs. 22.5±9.4 h, P=0.015) in the patients wihout pulmonary complications. There was no statistical difference in other perioperative data between the two groups (P>0.05). The mean daily step counts in the pulmonary complications group were significantly less than that in the non-pulmonary complications group (4 745.5±2 190.9 steps vs. 6 821.1±2 542.0 steps, P＜0.001). The daily step counts showed an upward trend for three consecutive days in the two groups, but the difference was not significant. Conclusion The decline of preoperative mean daily step counts is related to pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly patients. Recording daily step counts can promote preoperative active exercise training for hospitalized patients.
ObjectiveTo study the correlation between Periostin, interleukin-33 (IL-33), and chronic cough after thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with lung cancer. Methods A total of 102 lung cancer patients at Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were prospectively enrolled, and they were divided into a chronic cough group and a non chronic cough group based on whether chronic cough occurred after surgery. Serum levels of Periostin and IL-33 were measured on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days post-lobectomy. The Pearson method was employed to analyze the correlation between Periostin and IL-33 levels and the severity of cough. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing the occurrence of chronic cough. Additionally, ROC curve analysis was utilized to assess the potential value of serum Periostin and IL-33 levels in predicting postoperative chronic cough. Results In patients with chronic cough, the peripheral blood Periostin and IL-33 levels measured on days 7 and 14 were significantly higher than those in patients with non-chronic cough, and the interactions between the two groups and at different time points were significant (P<0.001). The degree of cough was positively correlated with the levels of Periostin and IL-33 on days 7 and 14 (P<0.05), but had no significant correlation with the levels on day 1 (P>0.05). In patients with lung cancer, after thoracoscopic lobectomy, Periostin [OR=1.619, 95%CI (1.295, 2.025)] and IL-33 [OR=1.831, 95%CI (1.216, 2.758)] on day 7 and Periostin on day 14 [OR=1.952, 95%CI (1.306, 2.918)] and IL-33 [OR=1.742, 95%CI (1.166, 2.603)] were identified as risk factors for chronic cough. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of Periostin on day 7 was 69.05%, the specificity was 71.67%, and the AUC was 0.756 [95%CI (0.616, 0.893)]. The sensitivity of Periostin on day 14 increased to 71.43% and the specificity was 76.67%, AUC was 0.762 [95%CI (0.633, 0.898)]. At the same time, the critical value of IL-33 on day 7 was 45.03 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were both 83.33%, the AUC was 0.884 [95%CI (0.789, 0.980)], and the critical value of IL-33 on day 14 was 56.01 pg/mL, the sensitivity was 85.71%, the specificity was 80.00%, and the AUC was 0.899 [95%CI (0.799, 0.999)]. Further regression analysis showed that the sensitivity was 95.24%, the specificity was 95.00%, and the AUC reached 0.993 [95%CI (0.979, 1.000)]. Conclusion Periostin and IL-33 levels, measured at various time points, are abnormally elevated following thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with combined CABG and lung cancer. These levels significantly correlate with cough severity. Given their predictive potential for chronic cough, these markers are deemed valuable biomarkers.
ObjectiveTo compare and analyze clinical effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and systematic lymph node harvests for peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (PNSCLC) patients between single-port (SP) and multi-port (MP) with a propensity-matched analysis. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 324 patients presented with PNSCLC and admitted in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2013 through December 2015. Six-eight patients underwent single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy were as a SP group and 256 patients with multi-port thoracoscopic lobectomy. Another 68 patients were produced by a propensity-matched analysis in these 256 patients, to match with SP group as a MP group. There were 26 males and 42 females at age of 54-62 (59.3±10.3) years in the SP group. There were 32 males and 36 females at age of 50-66 (61.5±9.4) years in the MP group. Perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. ResultsAll operations were accomplished successfully, without conversion to thoracotomy. Most postoperative outcomes were similar in intraoperative blood loss (136.3±22.7 ml vs. 142.2±20.3 ml), conversion (4.4% vs. 7.4%), lymph node dissection number (19.9±3.5 vs. 20.0±3.0), station (7.9±2.3 vs. 8.3±2.1), postoperative drainage volume (761.4±182.3 ml vs. 736.9±176.4 ml), chest drainage duration (5.2±1.5 d vs. 5.8±1.8 d), length of hospital stay (5.5±2.0 d vs. 5.0±2.5 d), and postoperative complications (2.9% vs. 7.4%) between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were statistical differences in operation time (138.2±20.3 min vs. 126.4±22.4 min), downtrend of pain scores (P=0.03), and patients' satisfaction level (8.8±1.4 vs. 7.3±2.3, P < 0.05). Concision Single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy is not inferior to multi-port and is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for the management of PNSCLC.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the effect of singledirection lobectomy plus systematic lymphnode dissection for primary nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the early stage by videoassisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 89 patients who received VATS lobectomy plus systematic lymphnode dissection for earlystage primary NSCLC in the Second People’s Hospital of Chengdu between June 2006 and December 2009. Based on the operative approach, the patients were divided into two groups: VATSminithoracotomy group and singledirection lobectomy VATS group. In the former group, there were 46 patients, including 36 males and 10 females, with an age of 58.76±14.78 years. For patients in this group, minithoracotomy was carried out assisted by VATS. In the latter group, there were 43 patients, including 37 males and 6 females, with an age of 61.34±12.56 years, and singledirection lobectomy VATS was performed for patients in this group. Moreover, 42 patients undergoing routine posterior lateral open thoracotomy were chosen to form the control group (thoracotomy group, included 37 males and 5 females with an age of 56.30±15.59 years). The clinical features, such as operative time, operative blood loss, the number of systematic dissected lymph nodes, postoperative drainage quantity, postoperative complications and visual analogue scale (VAS) of chest pain were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the early outcomes. Results No operative death occurred in all three groups. There were significant differences among the three groups in the postoperative drainage time (P=0.024), postoperative drainage quantity (P=0.019), operative blood loss (P=0.009), early outofbed activity time (P=0.031), and the incidence of cardiopulmonary complications (P=0.048). Compared with the VATSminithoracotomy group, the singledirection lobectomy VATS group was significantly lower or shorter (Plt;0.05) in postoperative drainage quantity (208.33±50.39 ml vs. 245.98±45.32 ml), operative blood loss (78.79±24.23 ml vs. 112.63±64.32 ml), and the early outofbed activity time (2.31±0.27 d vs. 3.56±0.31 d). The rate of using Dolantin in the control group was significantly higher than the other two groups (P=0.046, 0.007). The change of VAS score among the three groups after operation was also statistically significant (F=5.796, P=0.002). A total of 109 patients (37 in the VATSminithoracotomy group, 37 in the singledirection lobectomy VATS group, and 35 in the control group) were followed up after operation with a period of 2 to 48 months. Twentytwo patients were lost in the followup. There were 10, 9, and 8 deaths during the followup in the three groups respectively, and the median survival time was 40 months, 37 months, and 37 months respectively. There was no significant difference among the three groups in survival time (P=0.848). Conclusion VATS, especially VATS assisted single direction lobectomy and systematic lymphnode dissection for primary NSCLC in the early stage has the same surgical efficacy as the traditional open thoracotomy, and is minimally invasive, which contributes to a quick recovery. Consequently, it is a reliable approach for lung cancer in the early stage.
Objective To explore the advantages of postoperative chest drainage with 16F urinary catheter for video- assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. Methods Data of 102 patients (October to December 2015) who under- went VATS lobectomy of lung disease with insertion of catheter (16 F urinary catheter or 28 F chest tube) were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups including a 16F group (49 patients, with 16 F urinary catheter) and a 18F group (53 patients, with 18F chest drainage tube).The following post-operative data were evaluated: primary healing of tube inci- sion, chest X ray abnormalities (pneumothorax, pleural effusion, subcutaneous emphysema, and hematoma), drainage time, re-insert the drainage tube, and wound healing at the site of insertion. Results Both groups were similar in age, gender, co-morbidity and pathological evaluation of resected specimens. After adjustment, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in pulmonary complications (30.6% vs. 28.3%, P=0.102), subcutaneous emphysema (60.0% vs. 6.7%, P=0.011), required intervention (2.0% vs. 5.7%, P=0.048). The average total drainage volume in the 16F group (587.3±323.7 ml) was less than that of the 28 F group (824.1±444.3 ml, P=0.000). The rate of primary healing at the site of insertion in the 16 F group (100.0%) was higher than that in the 28F group (58.5%, P=0.014). A significant difference was found in the drainage time and post-operative length of stay between the two groups (54.2±28.6 h vs. 95.6±65.5 h，4.2±1.4 d vs. 6.5±3.0 d). Conclusion Since 16F urinary catheter has advantage in fast track rehabilitation and low risk of pulmonary complications, the use of 16F urinary catheter is appropriate after VATS pulmonary lobectomy.
ObjectiveTo determine if comfort level was associated with chest tube size(16F or 28F) among lung cancer patients with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. MethodsWe performed VATS lobectomy for 163 patients with lung cancer in our hospital between February and May 2014. There were 70 males 93 females. The patients were allocated into two groups including a 28F group and a 16F group. There were 75 patients at age of 53.18±14.73 years with insertion of one chest drain of 28F in the 28F group. And there were 88 patients at age of 56.62±12.62 years with insertion of one chest drain of 16F in the 16F group. Heart rate and variation of pulse, breathing rate and variation of breathing rate, pain scores, comfort level, and activities daily living (ADL) of the two groups were compared. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the patient characteristics and operation data between the two groups. There were statistical differences in variation of heart rates on the 1st day, 2nd day, and 3rd day after operation between the 16Fgroup and the 28F group (9.67±3.33 times/min vs.18.54±5.33 times/min, P=0.037; 7.89±2.88 times/min vs. 19.01±4.67 times/min, P=0.045; 7.67±3.01 times/min vs. 20.88±5.34 times/min, P=0.021). The percentage patients of mild pain in the 16F group (77.65%) was higher than that in the 28F group (49.78%, P=0.023) with a statistical difference. The independent ambulation and comfort level in the 16F group(67.05%, 67.05%) were significant higher than those in the 28F group (45.78%,55.11%, P=0.023, P=0.026). ConclusionOur findings suggest that drainage via a small-bore chest tube provides meaningful postoperative comfort level in the patients with VATS lobectomy.