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 compa red with the golden standard of an open resection. Methods. This study consists of 66 patients with a clinical stage 1 disease. A thoracosco pic exploration was executed in 41 patients. Only in 16 cases was a th oracoscopic 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 i nvestigate the appropriateness of the thoracoscopic approach we evalua ted only the pathologically proven stage 1 disease in both groups. Pos toperative complications, hospital stay and survival are compared. Con clusion. Until now we can conclude that there is no adverse effect on survival because of the thoracoscopic approach.