Kyobu geka. The Japanese journal of thoracic surgery
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From April 1994 to April 2008, we were started on 313 cases video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) operations for primary lung cancer at the thoracic surgical department of Kyoto City Hospital. Exclude cases such as conversion to open surgery, partial resection and double primary cancer, 212 cases were evaluated. Most common surgical approach was 111 lobectomy cases (90%) and pneumonectomy is 3 cases. ⋯ Most common complications were prolonged air leak in 20 cases (9.4%). Five year survival rate were stage IA 87.8%, IB 71.8%, II 52.4%, III 47.8%, IV 33.3%. Our data demonstrate thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer is a safe procedure and excellent prognosis.
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Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is now commonly used to treat malignant tumors of the lung. Generally, there are 2 styles of VATS: one uses only the view in a monitor and the other makes use of direct vision through an access port. Since both are minimally invasive, the difference is a matter of the surgeon's preference, and it is likely to have no effect on the patient. ⋯ There were no differences in survival, according to surgical approach. Although we have not always adopted VATS for advanced lung cancer, we are using a similar approach to perform any kind of bronchoplasty, pneumonectomy, or extensive resection for lung cancer more effectively. It is a step forward to be able to perform surgery using advanced techniques but, ultimately, it is not the technique that is of primary importance, it is the benefit the patient receives.
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Comparative Study
[Is video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy better than minimally invasive open thoracotomy?].
This article reviews our experiences of the current video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and minimally invasive open thoracotomy for resection of lung cancer. Between August 1999 and April 2007 at Saiseikai Central Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, we performed VATS lobectomy in 243 patients with clinical stage I lung cancer. It is certain that VATS lobectomy is acceptable in view of its low invasiveness, mortality, morbidity. ⋯ Therefore, we consider VATS lobectomy to be one of the therapeutic options in patients with clinical stage I lung cancer. However, what is most important is to achieve an anatomic lobectomy and complete mediastinal lymph node dissection. It may be that it is not important for differences of approach methods.