Outcomes of Hybrid Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Pulmonary Metastasectomy

 Abstract—BACKGROUND: Pulmonary metastasectomy is an acceptable treatment option in various metastatic lesions. The role of minimally invasive surgery for metastasectomy remains controversial. We report on a recently described hybrid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (hVATS) technique in the community hospital setting. METHODS: Using a retrospective study design, data on 61 patients undergoing 67 resections between April 2000 and January 2008 was collected at a single institution. Patient demographics, pathology, and clinical outcome data were recorded. Kaplan Meier estimates and multivariate Cox regression were used to assess survival and prognostic factors, respectively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 61.7 years. The majority of lesions were solitary, unilateral, and genitourinary or gastrointestinal in origin (69%). R0 resection was achieved in 97% of cases with the most common operation being lobectomy. Mean length of stay was 4.4 days. Mean follow-up was 39.7 months and 5- year overall survival was 63.2% for the cohort; median survival was not reached. The number of lesions (univariate only) and tumor size over 4 cm influenced overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid VATS is a safe and feasible technique in the community medical center setting and warrants additional investigation as an alternative strategy in the management of pulmonary metastases.