Abstract： Objective To investigate videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and percutaneous catheter occlusion (PCO) in interruption of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), in order to achieve minimally invasive surgical injuries and better clinical results. Methods From November 1995 to September 2009, 312 cases of PDA were treated in Fujian provincial hospital, among whom 252 patients were interrupted with VATS(VATS group) and 60 patients with PCO technique(PCO group). For the VATS group, there were 78 males and 174 females aged from 7 d to 31 years old (9.16±8.91 years), while there were 17 males and 43 females aged from 4 to 57 years old (25.55±14.10 years) in the PCO group. We used titanium clip to interrupt PDA under videoassisted thoracoscope for patients in the VATS group, and adopted Amplatzer method for patients in the PCO group. The clinical results, complications and hospital cost in the two groups were compared in this study. Results In the VATS group, all the PDA were successfully interrupted with no residual shunt. In the PCO group, 5% (3/60) of the patients had minor residual shunt after the procedure. No mortality occurred in both groups. Time of the procedure and hospital stay in the PCO group were shorter than that in the VATS group (70.20±31.20 min vs. 112.50±16.30 min, t=6.344,P=0.002; and 4.70±2.20 d vs. 6.50±2.80 d, t=3.241, P=0.022, respectively). However, the hospital cost for each patient in the PCO group was much higher than that in the VATS group (23 222.00±4 333.40 yuan RMB vs. 8 904.50±2 634.60 yuan RMB,t=25.360, P=0.000). Conclusion Compared with PCO, VATS in interrupting PDA can achieved not only excellent clinical results, especially in the newborn and baby cases, but also very satisfying cost which is just a little more than one third of the PCO cost.
Objective To compare the surgical trauma between videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) and conventional thoracotomy, and to investigate the possible minimally invasive mechanism. Methods Seventyseven patients who had undergone consecutive operations from April 2005 to January 2006 were chosen from cardiothoracic surgery department of Fujian Provincial Hospital. Twentytwo cases had spontaneous pneumothorax diagnosed by chest X-ray examination, twentynine had patent ductus arteriosus diagnosed by color echocardiography, and twentysix had congenital atrial septal defect. According to lesions and operative methods, the patients were divided into two groups: conventional thoracotomy group(CTH group) and videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery group(VATS group). The concentrations of serum C-reactive protein（CRP），interleukin6 (IL-6)，interleukin-8（IL-8） and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were selected as indexes to measure surgical trauma. ARRAY360 specific protein and pharmaceutical analysis system were used to determine CRP automaticly at the day before operation and on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after operation. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the concentrations of IL-6，IL-8 and TNF-α. Clinical indexes such as operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, intraoperative blood lost, postoperative analgesic time and hospitalization time were analyzed and compared. Results Under the condition that patients had the same diseases, there was no statistical significance in preoperative concentrations of serum CRP，IL-6，IL-8 and TNFα between VATS group and CTH group（P=0.067, 0.062, 0.053,0.064）. The concentrations of serum CRP(P=0.045,0.043,0.044), IL-6(P=0.042，0.032，0.039), IL-8(P=0.046，0.045，0.048) and TNF-α(P=0.041，0.043，0.043) on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after operation were significantly lower in VATS group than that in CTH group (Plt;0.05). Compared with CTH group, there were less blood lost（P=0.032）, shorter postoperative analgesic time and hospitalization time（P=0.041） in VATS group. There was no statistical significance in CPB time between two groups. However, hospitalization time varied with different diseases. Conclusion Compared with conventional thoracotomy，videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery has less surgical trauma, less intraoperative blood lost, shorter postoperative analgesic time, and can make patients recover rapidly. So it is worth spreading.
Objective To assess the safety and clinical outcomes of segmentectomy in one- or two-staged video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bilateral lung cancer. MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 100 patients who underwent VATS segmentectomy for bilateral lung cancer at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2013 to May 2022. We divided the patients into two groups: a one-stage group (52 patients), including 17 males and 35 females with a mean age of 55.17±11.09 years, and a two-stage group (48 patients), including 16 males and 32 females with a mean age of 59.88±11.48 years. We analyzed multiple intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes. Results All 100 patients successfully completed bilateral VATS, and at least unilateral lung received anatomical segmentectomy. Patients in the one-stage group were younger (P=0.040), had lower rate of comorbidities (P=0.030), were less likely to have a family history of lung cancer (P=0.018), and had a shorter interval between diagnosis and surgery (P=0.000) compared with patients in the two-stage group. Wedge resection on the opposite side was more common in the one-stage group (P=0.000), while lobectomy was more common in the two-stage group. The time to emerge from anesthesia in the one-stage group was longer than that in the first and second operations of the two-stage group (P=0.000, P=0.002). Duration of surgery and anesthesia were similar between two groups (P>0.05). Total number of lymph node stations for sampling and dissection (P=0.041) and lymph nodes involved (P=0.026) were less in the one-stage group. Intraoperative airway management was similar between two groups (P>0.05). The one-stage group was associated with lower activities of daily living (ADL) scores. Conclusion Segmentectomy is safe in one- or two-staged VATS for bilateral lung cancer, including contralateral sublobectomy and lobectomy. Duration of surgery and perioperative complications are similar between two groups, but the one-stage group is associated with lower ADL scores. On the basis of comprehensive consideration in psychological factors, physical conditions and personal wishes of patients, one-staged sequential bilateral VATS can be the first choice.
Abstract： Currently, there are two significant tendencies in the advancement and progress of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery（VATS）, firstly, the widening surgical indications for VATS techniques, and secondly, the use of single-port VATS which is less invasive and more cosmetic. This article focuses in particular on four aspects of single-port VATS, including；（1）the individualized incision approach and its characteristics of single-port VATS；（2）single-port VATS for the treatment of pneumothorax and the development of related techniques and equipment；（3）single-port VATS for the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic diseases such as lung lobectomy；（4）the advantages and disadvantages of single-port VATS in clinical practice.
Objective To assess the clinical value of a novel surgical technique—Tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in the resection of anterior mediastinal masses. Methods Patients who underwent tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in anterior mediastinal masses process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to April 2025 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 4 patients were included, with 2 males and 2 females, aged 58-75 years. The diameter of the tumor was 2.5-3.0 cm. The operation time was 60.0-150.0 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 mL, pain score on the 3rd day after surgery was 0 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 2-3 days. All patients achieved complete resection of the masses and thymus without perioperative complications. ConclusionThe tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device technique optimizes surgical visualization and instrument maneuverability while avoiding complications related to conventional anesthesia and tubing, thereby markedly enhancing the minimally invasive profile of anterior mediastinal masses resections. In addition to maintaining procedural safety, this approach effectively reduces postoperative pain and accelerates patient recovery, highlighting its potential for widespread clinical adoption.
Objective To develop a novel methylene blue staining technique to localize small esophageal leiomyomas (<1.5 cm) and evaluate its feasibility. Methods Between January 2013 and October 2016, 9 patients with small esophageal leiomyomas (<1.5 cm) underwent thoracoscopic enucleation in Tongji Hospital. There were 5 males and 4 females with an average age of 51 years. We preoperatively injected 0.5–1.0 ml methylene blue in the submucosa adjacent to the tumors under the guidance of gastroscope. Then, we transferred the patients to the operating room. Results Staining was successful in 9 patients. The unstained tumor was exposed after the blue-stained mediastinal pleura and overlying muscle were incised longitudinally during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via one utility port. No abnormalities were detected in the esophageal mucosa. No major complications, such as esophageal leakage or esophageal diverticulum occurred. Conclusion Endoscopic methylene blue staining is safe and feasible for localizing small esophageal leiomyomas during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via one utility port. This method will enable enucleation precise and easy.
Objective To explore the safety, feasibility and learning curve of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) in treatment of thoracic diseases. Method We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 591 patients of thoracic surgery in our hospital between September 2009 and September 2016. There were 378 males and 213 females at age of 14–82 years. Result All patients were successfully completed surgery. Twelve patients converted to open chest with conversion rate of 2.0%. Postoperative complications occurred in 24 patients (4.1%). Four patients died during the perioperative period, and mortality rate was 0.7%. The learning curve of VATS for lung cancer was about 25 patients. And the learning curve of video-assisted laparoscopy for resection of esophageal cancer was about 15 patients. Conclusion VATS is safety and feasible for the chest disease patients in municipal hospital, and is worthy to popularize.
Objective To compare the differences in the application of ultrasound scalpel and coagulation hook in thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal tumor surgery and to analyze the respective advantages and indications of the two commonly used energy instruments. Methods The clinical data of 85 patients undergoing thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal tumor surgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between June and November in 2017 were prospectively analyzed. There were 45 males and 40 females at age of 50.45 (18–75) years. The patients were divided into three groups including a ultrasound scalpel group (59 patients), a coagulation hook group (17 patients) and a mixed group (9 patients) according to the using time of energy devices. The clinical effect among the three groups were compared. Results No significant difference was found among the three groups in operation time, blood loss, average duration of chest tube drainage or volume of drainage (P>0.05). No significant complications occurred in all groups during operation or after operation. The proportion of subxiphoid approach in the ultrasound scalpel group was higher than that in the other two groups (49/59vs. 7/17 vs. 5/9, P<0.01). The maximum diameter of the tumor (4.58±2.19 cmvs. 4.05±1.07 cm vs. 3.00±1.45 cm, P<0.05) and the resected tissue weight (103.67±74.78 gvs. 61.17±31.97 g vs. 61.86±34.13 g, P<0.05) were also significantly greater than that in the coagulation hook group or the mixed group. Conclusion Ultrasound scalpel has good safety and reliability in the thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal tumor surgery, and is more suitable for operation in a narrow space.
Abstract： Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of concealing incision video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery （VATS）. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 11 patients who underwent concealing incision VATS in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between September and November 2011. There were 2 male patients and 9 female patients with their mean age of 34.0 years （ranging from 16 to 59 years）. There were 4 patients with myasthenia gravis, 4 patients with thymoma, 2 patients with thymus cyst, and 1 patient with hyperhidrosis. Extended thoracoscopic thymectomy was performed in 10 patients, and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy was performed in 1 patient. Results All the VATS procedures were performed successfully, and there was no intraoperative and postoperative complication. The operation time ranged from 30 to 105 minutes with an average time of 70.5 minutes. All the intraoperative blood loss was less than 5 ml. The time of postoperative thoracic drainage was less than 48 hours, and the drainage volume ranged from 30 to 80 ml with a mean volume of 55.5 ml. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.5 （2-4）days. The incision was small with a concealed and esthetic appearance. For 10 patients with extended thoracopscopic thymectomy, histopathology test aftre operation showed 4 patients with thymic hyperplasia, 4 with thymoma, and 2 with cystofthymus. Conclusion Concealing incision VATS is a safe and feasible technique, and it can meet the esthetic requirement of patients.
Objective To investigate the perioperative differences between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Clinical data of NSCLC patients who underwent VATS or thoracotomy after neoadjuvant therapy at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from June 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively collected. Perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 260 patients were enrolled, 184 (70.8%) patients underwent VATS and 76 (29.2%) patients underwent thoracotomy. After propensity matching, there were 113 (62.4%) patients in the VATS group and 68 (37.6%) patients in the thoracotomy group. VATS had similar lymph node dissection ability and postoperative complication rate with thoracotomy (P>0.05), with the advantage of having shorter operative time (146.00 min vs. 165.00 min, P=0.006), less intraoperative blood loss (50.00 mL vs. 100.00 mL, P<0.001), lower intraoperative blood transfusion rate (0.0% vs. 7.4%, P=0.003), less 3-day postoperative drainage (250.00 mL vs. 350.00 mL, P=0.011; 180.00 mL vs. 250.00 mL, P=0.002; 150.00 mL vs. 235.00 mL, P<0.001), and shorter postoperative drainage time (9.34 d vs. 13.84 d, P<0.001) and postoperative hospitalization time (6.19 d vs. 7.94 d, P=0.006). Conclusion VATS after neoadjuvant therapy for NSCLC is safer than thoracotomy and results in better postoperative recovery.