Thoracoscopic-assisted pulmonary resection in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic-assisted pulmonary resection for lung cancer is controversial. The appropriateness of this approach has to be compared with the golden standard of an open resection.

METHODS

This study consists of 66 patients with a clinical stage 1 disease. A thoracoscopic exploration was executed in 41 patients. Only in 16 cases was a thoracoscopic resection finally possible. The clinical and pathological TNM classification, the histological types and the surgical procedure are reported. The reasons for conversion are documented.

RESULTS

To investigate the appropriateness of the thoracoscopic approach we evaluated only the pathologically proven stage 1 disease in both groups. Postoperative complications, hospital stay and survival are compared.

CONCLUSION

Until now we can conclude that there is no adverse effect on survival because of the thoracoscopic approach.