Non-small cell lung cancer – no survival benefit between two types of surgery

This study compared the long-term outcome for non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent video-assisted surgery and those who underwent open lung surgery.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) involves making cuts in the chest wall and placing a scope specifically designed to view the lungs through the chest into the lungs. The scope has a camera attached and allows the surgeon to remove tissue. Open lung lobectomy (OPEN) invovles making surgical incisions in the chest followed by lobectomy (removal of part of the lung). VATS is less invasive than OPEN surgery. VATS is also less painful and has a reduced hospital stay. However, it's uncertain whether VATS has a better survival outcome in comparison to OPEN.

This study examined the outcomes of 101 VATS patients and 184 OPEN patients over a 9-year period. Characteristics such as tumor size, rate of tumor disappearance, blood loss, hospital stay and survival were compared in both groups. Comparisons were made before and after surgery.

In simple analyses the VATS patients had a smaller tumor size. After surgery these patients had a higher rate of tumor-disappearance and shorter operation time. VATS patients also has less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. The survival in VATS patients was higher after surgery.

However, in more advanced analyses there was no significant difference between both groups regarding survival, tumor size or rate of tumor disappearance. There was no significant difference between both groups for complications which occurred following surgery. 

This study concluded that there is no difference in survival between patients that undergo VATS lobectomy and those that undergo OPEN lobectomy. However, VATS is more invasive than OPEN.