Application value of anterior subcarinal lymph node dissection in single-port thoracoscopic radical resection of left lung cancer

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and safety of anterior subcarinal lymph node dissection in single-port thoracoscopic radical resection of left lung cancer.

MethodsThe clinical data of 62 left non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with single-port thoracosopic surgery were retrospectively analyzed.According to different methods for subcarinal lymph node dissection, the patients were divided into the posterior approach group(34 cases treated with traditional posterior approach for subcarinal lymph node dissection) and anterior approach group(28 cases treated with anterior approach for subcarinal lymph node dissection).The data of the operation time, intra-operative blood loss, number of mediastinal lymph node dissection, postoperative 3 d thoracic duct drainage volume, indwelling time of thoracic tube and incidence rate of complications were compared between two groups.

ResultsThe differences of the operation time, intra-operative blood loss, number of mediastinal lymph nodes dissection and total incidence rate of complications between two groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The drainage volume and indwelling time of thoracic duct after 3 d of operation in anterior approach group were shorter than those in posterior approach group(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe anterior subcarinal lymph node dissection in single-port thoracoscopic surgery for radical resection of left lung cancer is a safe and feasible method to simplify the operation process and reduce the postoperative thoracic duct drainage and indwelling time.