Objective To summarize our initial experience in robot-assisted lobectomy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods A total of 20 NSCLC patients underwent robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from March to September 2012. There were 13 males and 7 females, and their age was 43-80 （60.40±8.07） years. Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy technique was used，and systemic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was routinely performed during the operation. There were 4 right upper lobectomies，7 right lower lobectomies，1 right middle lobectomy，7 left lower lobectomies，and 1 left upper lobectomy. Results Postoperative pathological examination showed adenocarcinoma in 12 patients，squamous cell carcinoma in 5 patients，adenosquamous carcinoma in 2 patients，and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 1 patient. One patient undergoing left upper lobectomy had intraoperative pulmonary artery bleeding of 500 ml，who was healed by pulmonary artery repair via an accessory small incision and blood transfusion of 400 ml. All the other 19 patients successfully underwent robot-assisted lobectomy with their mean intraoperative blood loss of 60.00±42.95 （10-200） ml, and no blood transfusion was needed for them. All the patients were successfully extubated after operation, and none of the patients had severe postoperative complication. The mean thoracic drainage time was 9.35±3.48 （3-15） days. All the patients were discharged uneventfully and followed up for 2-9 （6.01±2.09） months without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy using Da Vinci S Surgical System is safe and feasible，and especially advantageous for lymph node dissection. It can be used for the treatment of early stage NSCLC.
Proper management of chest drainage after pulmonary lobectomy is a topic that every thoracic surgeon must face up to. Reasonable chest drainage plays a critical role in postoperative normal physiological recovery. However， there are still controversies and discrepancies in many aspects of chest drainage management after pulmonary lobectomy. In this review，we focus on five aspects of chest drainage management after pulmonary lobectomy，including the choice of chest drainage system，single or double chest tubes，suction or not，treatment of persistent air leak，and removal of chest tube.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy using da Vinci S System, and explore its advantages in minimally invasive surgery. MethodsFrom May 2009 to May 2013, 12 patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) underwent robot-assisted lobectomy using da Vinci S System in Shanghai Chest Hospital. There were 6 male and 6 female patients with their age of 40-61 (52±8) years. Robotic instruments were used through a 12-mm observation port, two 8-mm thoracoscopic ports and a 12 to 40 mm utility incision without rib spreading. Perioperative data of the patients were collected and analyzed. ResultsAll the 12 patients successfully received surgical resection. All types of lobectomy were performed, and all the procedures were radical resection. Each patient received 4 to 9 (5±1) stations of lymph node dissection. None of the patients underwent conversion to thoracotomy. There was no perioperative mortality or morbidity in this group. Chest drainage duration was 3-11 (8±7) days. Length of hospital stay was 6 to 18 (14±8) days. Operation time was 60 to 280 (185±78) minutes. Intraoperative blood loss was 20 to 200 (108±71) ml. There was no perioperative blood transfusion. ConclusionsRobot-assisted lobectomy is initially proven a safe and effective procedure with enhanced visualization and better dexterity and stability than video-assisted thoracopscopic surgery. Thus surgical indications for robot-assisted lobectomy can be widened. Robot-assisted lobectomy is an important choice in the new age of minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
ObjectiveTo compare clinical results between single and double chest tube applications after lung cancer resection, and explore the role of single chest tube in postoperative fast track recovery. MethodNinety-three patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy between March and December of 2009 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were included in this study. All the patients were divided into a single-tube group including 46 patients (39 males and 7 females) with their age of 58.4±9.5 years, and a double-tube group including 47 patients (32 males and 15 females) with their age of 58.2±9.0 years. Drainage amount, duration, postoperative hospital stay, and incidences of pneumothorax and pleural effusion after removal of chest tubes were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsThe percentage of patients undergoing complete video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) of the double-tube group was significantly higher than that of the single-tube group, and the percentage of patients undergoing thoracotomy of the double-tube group was significantly lower than that of the single-tube group (P < 0.05). Drainage amount of the double-tube group was significantly larger than that of the single-tube group (824.4±612.5 ml vs. 510.7±406.7 ml, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in drainage duration, postoperative hospital stay, the incidences of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, pleural effusion or re-insertion of chest drain between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionClinical results of single chest tube is better than or equivalent to those of double chest tubes after lung cancer resection, and drainage duration of single chest tube application might be shorter.
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of rehabilitation therapy on postoperative pulmonary function and exercise capacity of patients with lung cancer during the hospitalization in the setting of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols.MethodsA total of 110 lung cancer patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2017 to December 2018 were randomly divided into the rehabilitation treatment group (the trial group, n=54) and the non-rehabilitation treatment group (the control group, n=56). The trial group got out of bed within 24 hours after surgery and performed respiratory rehabilitation training. The control group did not receive rehabilitation after surgery. Pulmonary function and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were evaluated preoperatively and prior to discharge in both groups to compare the differences in pulmonary function and exercise capacity between the two groups.ResultsThe preoperative forced vital capacity (FVC) in the trial group and the control group were (2.45±0.57) and (2.47±0.61) L, respectively; the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) were (2.29±0.55) and (2.22±0.55) L, respectively; 6MWD were (592±51) and (576±57) m, respectively; the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Prior to discharge, the FVC in the trial group and the control group were (1.43±0.36) and (1.19±0.33) L, respectively; FEV1 were (1.28±0.32) and (1.06±0.61) L, respectively; 6MWD were (264±43) and (218±37) m, respectively. The results of pre-discharge evaluation were significantly lower than those of preoperative evaluation (P<0.01). The pre-discharge FVC, FEV1, and 6MWD in the trial group were significantly superior to those in the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionIn the setting of ERAS protocols, postoperative rehabilitation therapy during hospitalizations can improve pulmonary function and promote the recovery of exercise capacity in lung cancer patients more effectively.