[Safety and technical feasibility of single-direction VATS lobectomy: a review of 1040 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and technical feasibility of single-direction video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for patients with pulmonary diseases.

Methods: From May 2006 to Sep 2012, 1040 patients with pulmonary diseases were treated by single-direction video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. These included 565 men (54.3%) and 475 women (45.7%), with a mean age of (56.3 +/- 13.2) years. The patients suffered from lung cancer (800), benign disease (205), pulmonary metastases (34), and lymphoma (1). Their perioperative data were collected and reviewed.

Results: Of the 1040 patients, 7 died (0.67%); 18 (1.73%) were converted to open surgery; 134 had postoperative complications (12.88%). The patients underwent an average of (169 +/- 64) min operations, lost an average of (93 +/- 113) mL (range, 5-935 mL) blood, had an average of (3.3 +/- 1.9) cm (range, 1.2-12 cm) diameters of mass removed and an average (15.8 +/- 7.7) (range, 5-52) lymph nodes dissected. The patients had an average of (3.8 +/- 2.6) days (range, 1-16 days) drainage during an average of (7.0 +/- 2.8) days (range, 4-19 days) postoperative hospital stay.

Conclusion: Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy is a safe and feasible surgical procedure in the treatment of pulmonary diseases.