VATS port site recurrence: A technique dependent problem Journal Article


Authors: Parekh, K.; Rusch, V.; Bains, M.; Downey, R.; Ginsberg, R.
Article Title: VATS port site recurrence: A technique dependent problem
Abstract: Objectives Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become an accepted approach for the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic malignancies. Port site tumor recurrence is a reported complication of VATS. However, the true incidence of this problem is unknown. To try to determine the incidence of port site recurrence, we analyzed our experience with patients undergoing VATS wedge resection for malignancy. Methods Data were obtained from our prospective VATS database. The analysis was confined to patients undergoing VATS wedge resection for malignancy, excluding those having a pleural biopsy only. Parameters analyzed included demographic factors, surgical technique, and port site recurrences identified by physical examination, CT scan, or both. Results From 1992 to 1996, 410 patients (182 men, 228 women; median age = 61 years) underwent a VATS wedge resection for malignancy. The procedure was performed for diagnosis or staging in 90% of cases. Access incisions plus port sites were used in 97 (24%) patients; port sites only were used in 313 (76%) patients. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in 102 patients (25%) either for definitive resection (58 patients) or because VATS was not technically adequate (44 patients), Specimens were retrieved via access incisions or port sites with or without a specimen bag. The operative mortality was 0.25%. With long-term follow-up (median = 25 months) available for 374 patients (91%), only one port site recurrence was identified (0.26%). Conclusion Our experience confirms the safety of VATS wedge resection in cancer patients. The incidence of port site tumor recurrence is low when oncologic principles are respected. In our institution, these principles include performing VATS wedge resection only for lesions that can be widely removed; converting to thoracotomy for definitive or extensive cancer operation; and using meticulous technique fur the extraction of specimens from the pleural space.
Keywords: thoracotomy; thoracoscopy; assisted thoracic-surgery; pulmonary metastasis; lung-biopsy; cancer; port site recurrence; initial experience; vats wedge resection; intraoperative pleural lavage; muscle-sparing; thoracoscopic resection; standard esophagectomies; en-bloc
Journal Title: Annals of Surgical Oncology
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1068-9265
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2001-03-01
Start Page: 175
End Page: 178
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:000167344700015
DOI: 10.1245/aso.2001.8.2.175
PROVIDER: wos
PUBMED: 11258784
Notes: Article; Proceedings Paper -- Presented at 53rd SSO Annual Cancer Symposium (2000) -- 2000 Mar 16-19 -- New Orleans, LA -- Source: Wos
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MSK Authors
  1. Valerie W Rusch
    865 Rusch
  2. Robert J Ginsberg
    178 Ginsberg
  3. Robert J Downey
    254 Downey
  4. Manjit S Bains
    338 Bains