Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2018 Feb;51(1):29-34. 10.5090/kjtcs.2018.51.1.29.

Outcomes of Pulmonary Resection and Mediastinal Node Dissection by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy for Stage IIIA N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Jeon YJ
• Choi YS
• Lee KJ
• Lee SH
• Pyo H
• Choi JY

• KMID: 2409710
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2018.51.1.29

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of pulmonary resection and mediastinal node dissection (MND) by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) following neoadjuvant therapy for stage IIIA N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS
From November 2009 to December 2013, a total of 35 consecutive patients with pathologically or radiologically confirmed stage IIIA N2 lung cancer underwent pulmonary resection and MND, performed by a single surgeon, following neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Preoperative patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, postoperative drainage, postoperative complications, and mortality were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS
VATS was completed in 17 patients. Thoracotomy was performed in 18 patients, with 13 planned thoracotomies and 5 conversions from the VATS approach. The median age was 62.7±7.9 years in the VATS group and 60±8.7 years in the thoracotomy group. The patients in the VATS group tended to have a lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (p=0.077). There were no differences between the 2 groups in the method of diagnosing the N stage, tumor response and size after induction, tumor location, or histologic type. Complete resection was achieved in all patients. More total and mediastinal nodes were dissected in the VATS group than in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.05). The median chest tube duration was 5.3 days (range, 1 to 33 days) for the VATS group and 7.2 days (range, 2 to 28 days) for the thoracotomy group. The median follow-up duration was 36.3 months. The 5-year survival rates were 76% in the VATS group and 57.8% in the thoracotomy group (p=0.39). The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 40.3% and 38.9% in the VATS and thoracotomy groups, respectively (p=0.8).
CONCLUSION
The VATS approach following neoadjuvant treatment was safe and feasible in selected patients for the treatment of stage IIIA N2 NSCLC, with no compromise of oncologic efficacy.

Keyword

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma; Neoadjuvant therapy; Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; Lobectomy

MeSH Terms

Carbon Monoxide
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung*
Chest Tubes
Disease-Free Survival
Drainage
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lung Neoplasms
Methods
Mortality
Neoadjuvant Therapy
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate
Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted*
Thoracotomy
Carbon Monoxide