Uniportal VATS lobectomies—masterclass in Bratislava

Abstract

On February 5–6, an event on uniportal VATS approach to pulmonary resections took place in Bratislava. It focused on developing uniportal VATS technique. The two-day event gave opportunity to discuss the topic with masters of thoracic surgery such as Prof. Hasan Batirel and Diego Gonzalez, to train basic skills on simulators developed by Dr. Tomaz Stupnik and to watch live surgery performed by Diego Gonzalez. Two patients underwent uniportal VATS lobectomy. This event was another step to advance miniinvasive major pulmonary procedures.

Introduction

Modern thoracoscopic surgery began in 1991. Lobectomies were performed in the early 1990’s through multiple ports. Uniportal VATS has developed over the last 10 years (1). We started performing minimally invasive surgery in our institution in 1993, paradoxically not with thoracoscopy but with the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Shortly after that we began with thoracoscopies. In that time only standard simple procedures were performed such as operations for malignant effusions, pneumothorax, lung biopsy, etc. In 2006 we started with antireflux procedures and in 2009 with miniinvasive esophagectomies. Finally in 2012 the first VATS lobectomy was performed. We started using four ports VATS and after we gained enough experience, we reduced the number of ports and since 2016 we perform VATS lobectomies mostly uniportally.

In the first year only six cases were successfully finished, but we have raised the numbers and now we do more than 50% of the cases in minimally invasive way.

We have organized several meetings on VATS lobectomy in our institution including live presentation of the procedures in cooperation with Prof. Batirel.

On February 5–6, we have organized a Masterclass on uniportal VATS lobectomy in Bratislava, attended among others by Prof. Hasan Batirel, the ESTS director of education, Dr. Diego Gonzalez, inventor of uniportal approach to pulmonary resections and Dr. Tomaz Stupnik, inventor of simulators for training VATS lobectomy procedure (Figure 1). On the first day some interesting presentations were given by the participants and there was a possibility to try the simulators under leadership of Prof. Batirel and Dr. Stupnik (Figure 2).

Figure 1.

Ass. Prof. Miroslav Janik, Dr. Diego Gonzalez, Nina Souckova, Prof. Batirel, Dr. Tomaz Stupnik (from left).

Figure 2.

Tomaz Stupnik leading simulator training.

The other day two cases were performed by Dr. Diego Gonzalez, both procedures were transmitted to the conference room, where more than 50 surgeons had the possibility to watch and to discuss the operation (Figures 3,4).

Figure 3.

Diego Gonzalez with the head of the Thoracic Surgery Department University Hospital Bratislava Miroslav Janik.

Figure 4.

Diego Gonzalez operating in Bratislava.

Presentation of the patients

Case no. 1

• ❖ Patient presented with a large spiculated mass in the RUL with satellite nodule and a GGO in the same lobe and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (Figures 5,6);

• ❖ No definitive histology was obtained by bronchoscopy;

• ❖ Negative previous oncologic history;

• ❖ Positive smoking history.

Figure 5.

Case no.1: spiculated lesion in the RUL.

Figure 6.

Case no.1: satellite nodule in the RUL.

Case no. 2

• ❖ Patient presented with two tumorous masses in the LUL (Figures 7,8);

• ❖ Previous oncologic disease—endometrial carcinoma;

• ❖ Negative smoking history;

• ❖ Suspected metastatic lesions.

Figure 7.

Case no.2: tumorous mass in the LUL.

Figure 8.

Case no.2: second tumorous mass in the LUL.

Procedures

The patient is placed in a lateral decubitus position with support under the chest. Two surgeons are requested, in case of upper lobectomy, the camera man stands opposite to the operating surgeon, while the operating surgeon stands in front of the patient. We use a 30 degree scope. Standard incision in the fifth intercostal space is made approximately in middle axillary line depending on the patients constitution. In case no.1 huge lymphadenopathy was present and it was challenging to perform radical resection. Advanced instrumentation was required not to harm the lymphonodes and remove them en-bloc. Powered vascular stapler was used to transect vessels and mechanical endostapler was used for the bronchus. Both procedures were perfectly completed. We started to implement ERAS program, so the patients were verticalised 4 hours after the procedure, with their chest tubes removed the next day and they were discharged day two after the operation (Figure 9—uniportal VATS right upper lobectomy, Figure 10—uniportal VATS left upper lobectomy).

Figure 9.

Uniportal VATS right upper lobectomy (2). Available online: http://www.asvide.com/article/view/24379

Figure 10.

Uniportal VATS left upper lobectomy (3). Available online: http://www.asvide.com/article/view/24380

Discussion

We started with VATS lobectomies pretty late in Slovakia. But in short time we were able to accelerate the program and we have improved the necessary skills. More than 50% of all lung resections are performed in minimally invasive way, both uniportal and two portal. We operate on patients also after induction chemotherapy, with centrally localised tumors. Nowadays we plan to extend the spectrum of the procedures with advanced procedures like sleeve lobectomy and double sleeve lobectomy. We have also completed several subxiphoid uniportal VATS lobectomies, but longer instruments are needed, so this procedure was temporarily ceased. After we obtain the proper instrumentarium we plan to proceed. We also plan to organize this type of event in our institution on regular basis together with Diego Gonzalez, as he promised, with the aim to spread the procedure in our country (Figure 11).

Figure 11.

Lunch with Prof. Batirel and Dr. Gonzalez.

We also started the educational program to teach young surgeons the procedure. The training program is based on participating in similar procedures, followed by performing simple antireflux procedures and focusing on teaching particular phases of VATS lobectomy.

VATS lobectomy seems to be a golden standard in surgical treatment of lung cancer in selected patients (4-7).

Informed Consent: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this manuscript and any accompanying images.