Abstract
Background Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become the preferred approach for
minimizing harm from thoracic operations. There is no report, however, which has discussed
the feasibility of VATS in ipsilateral reoperation of major lung resection.
Methods The present study included patients who had undergone ipsilateral reoperation of
major lung resection by VATS from October 2009 to May 2017. Referring clinical data
were recruited for analysis.
Results Fourteen patients were recruited in the present study, including nine patients who
underwent lobectomy and five who underwent segmentectomy during the second operation.
Different hila were found in 6 patients, and pleural adhesions appeared in 10 patients.
The average intraoperative blood loss was 203.6 ± 121.7 mL, and the mean operating
room time was 2.2 ± 0.5 hours. There were no intraoperative deaths, and only one patient
required conversion to thoracotomy. The average drainage time was 5.9 ± 4.6, and the
mean hospital stay was 6.7 ± 4.2 days.
Conclusion Though it is technically demanding to safely handle the changed hilum structure caused
by the last operation, major lung resection by VATS is feasible for ipsilateral reoperation
in appropriate candidates.
Keywords
thoracoscopy - major lung resection - hilum - management
