Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the completely thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy with lobectomy to treat stage I(A) peripheral lung cancer <2 cm.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed that 54 cases stage I(A) peripheral lung cancer patients were selected, including 26 cases of segmentectomy and 28 cases of lobectomy. We observed the operative time, blood loss, number of lymphadenectomy, post-operative chest drainage, hospital days, post-operative complications and mortality, post-operative recurrence and 3-year survival rate.
Results: There was no significant difference about complications such as post-operative atelectasis, severe pneumonia, arrhythmia and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular in two groups (P > 0.05). The local recurrence rate was not significant different in two groups (P > 0.05). Two groups of operative time, blood loss and number of dissected lymph nodes was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), However, the difference was statistically significant in average chest drainage and less decreased pulmonary function, which led to patients received segmentectomy recovered faster and hospitalized less time (P < 0.05). We also found there was no significant difference on survival rate with 1 and 3 year follow-up of two groups (log-rank Chi-square = 0.028, P > 0.05).
Conclusions: For stage I(A) peripheral lung cancer, the thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy was safe and effective just as thoracoscopic lobectomy, and furthermore with faster post-operative recovery.