Staging and treatment of lung cancer by videothoracoscopic technique. 60th Annual International Scientific Assembly of The American College of Chest Physicians. New Orleans, Louisiana, October 30-November 3, 1994. Abstracts

After a conventional pre operative staging, 150 patients affected by lung cancer were submitted to Videothoracoscopic Operative Staging (V.O.S.) in order to: 1) verify the resectability of the lesion; 2) rule out any condition of inoperability; 3) assess the technical feasibility of video-endoscopic removal. The pts. were subdivided in three main groups: A) 13 pts. with peripheral (0.5-2cm.) and hystologically identified cancer in whom cardio-respiratory conditions were so compromised to exclude thoracotomy or major resections. B) 79 pts. with lung cancer at 11 and Ill stage in whom videothoracoscopy is performed for better staging or excluding causes of inoperability unrecognisable preoperatively. C) Pts. with lung cancer preoperatively staged Ti N0-T2NO. The pts. of group A were submitted to videothoracoscopic wedge resection. In group B V.O.S. revealed inoperability in 11 pts.. In 4 pts. videothoracoscopic exploration could not adequately carried out and an open exploration proved no resectability. Operability was confirmed in 58 who were subjected to a traditional intervention. In 56 pts. of group C 4 videothoracoscopic pneumonectomies and 52 videoendoscopic lobectomies were carried out with loco-regional lymphoadenectomy.