Video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resections of pulmonary XXXX : should it be performed?

@entity1 @entity943 @entity5 @entity3
We studied the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) surgery in the management of @entity3 . From September 1993 to March 1994, we performed a total of 11 VAT wedge resections of pulmonary @entity3 in seven @entity1 (six males, one female, age 12 to 46 years). Three @entity1 had bilateral procedures performed either under the same anaesthesia or in stages. One @entity1 had two operations on the same side. The average number of nodules excised was three. Two @entity1 subsequently required formal lobectomies when the @entity5 were either too big or too close to the hilum for safe wedge resections. There was one death on postoperative day 3 due to @entity943 . One @entity1 died 5 months later from a progression of his underlying disease. Two @entity1 remained disease free up to 8 and 12 months, respectively, from their first operations. The average postoperative chest drain duration was 1.4 +/- 0.7 days and hospital stay 2.3 +/- 1.1 days. The procedure was well tolerated and postoperative morbidity was minimal. We conclude that although VAT wedge resection of pulmonary @entity3 is feasible technically and is associated with a short hospital stay and minimal morbidity, this approach cannot be recommended when complete resection of all @entity3 is the goal as the technique relies heavily on computed tomographic scans to detect nodules. Recurrence of @entity3 from 4 to 6 months in three of seven @entity1 argues against VAT surgery being an adequate procedure. The high cost of the staplers, in addition, is a secondary consideration.
