Intraoperative and postoperative complications of VATS major pulmonary resections

The Authors analyzed their experience on VATS major pulmonary resections in order to evaluate the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complicatio ns. They proposed 85 patients for these type of procedure, but they success fully performed it only in 75 cases (88.2%). The causes of conversion to op en surgery were: oncological reasons, bleeding, fissure adhesions and stapl er jamming. Moreover they registered a further 7 intraoperative problems wi thout conversion. The postoperative course was complicated in 11 (14.7%) pa tients: hemothorax treated with VATS re-operation, prolonged air leaks, pne umonia and atrial fibrillation. The Authors conclude that the rate of compl ications of VATS major pulmonary resections is acceptable, so the procedure can be considered reliable. In the near future the amelioration of technol ogy, the increase of the experience and a more accurate selection of the pa tients will certainly give better results.