Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Lung Cancer-Japan Experience

摘要

Since starting in 1992, much effort has been paid to establish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS). Anatomical lung resections were introduced afterwards. Since 1997, lung cancer resections were achieved using VATS in 77% of total 396 consecutive patients. The postoperative 5-year survival rates were 90.5% and 65% in p-stage IA and IB respectively, which were estimated satisfactory so far. We concluded that most patients with relatively early stage lung cancer can be treated by VATS, which may improve risk, decrease morbidity and possibly increase patients' survival, although the technique is somewhat demanding and time-consuming for surgeons.