Giovanni M Comacchio1, Marco Schiavon2, Danila Azzolina3, Marco Mammana2, Giuseppe Marulli4, Andrea Zuin2, Enrico Verderi2, Nicola Monaci2, Laura Bonanno5, Giulia Pasello5, Federico Rea2. 1. Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy. gcomacchio@gmail.com. 2. Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy. 3. Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. 4. Thoracic Surgery Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University Hospital, Bari, Italy. 5. Second Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sleeve lobectomy represents a safe and effective treatment for central NSCLC to avoid the risks of pneumonectomy. Induction therapy (IT) may be indicated in advanced stages; however, the effect of IT on bronchial anastomoses remains uncertain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of IT on the complications of the anastomoses. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2012, 159 consecutive patients were submitted to sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC at our Institution. We retrospectively compared the results of patients who underwent IT before operation with those who received upfront surgery. RESULTS: In the study period, 49 (30.8%) patients received IT (37 chemotherapy, 1 radiotherapy and 11 chemo-radiotherapy) and 110 (69.2%) patients were directly submitted to surgery (S). The two groups were comparable for sex, age, comorbidities, ASA score, pulmonary function, side, type of procedure and histology. Pathological stage was statistically higher for IT group (p = 0.001). No differences between IT and S groups were observed in terms of post-operative mortality (2% vs 0%, p = NS), morbidity (45% vs 38%, p = NS), including early (6% vs 9%, p = NS) and long-term (16% vs 14%, p = NS) bronchial complication rates. Patients undergoing induction mediastinal radiotherapy, however, are at higher risk of bronchial complications. CONCLUSION: In our experience, the use of induction chemotherapy did not significantly increase mortality and morbidity rates, in particular, neither for early nor for late anastomotic complications. We, therefore, conclude that sleeve lobectomy after induction chemotherapy is safe and reliable procedure for the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC.
BACKGROUND: Sleeve lobectomy represents a safe and effective treatment for central NSCLC to avoid the risks of pneumonectomy. Induction therapy (IT) may be indicated in advanced stages; however, the effect of IT on bronchial anastomoses remains uncertain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of IT on the complications of the anastomoses. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2012, 159 consecutive patients were submitted to sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC at our Institution. We retrospectively compared the results of patients who underwent IT before operation with those who received upfront surgery. RESULTS: In the study period, 49 (30.8%) patients received IT (37 chemotherapy, 1 radiotherapy and 11 chemo-radiotherapy) and 110 (69.2%) patients were directly submitted to surgery (S). The two groups were comparable for sex, age, comorbidities, ASA score, pulmonary function, side, type of procedure and histology. Pathological stage was statistically higher for IT group (p = 0.001). No differences between IT and S groups were observed in terms of post-operative mortality (2% vs 0%, p = NS), morbidity (45% vs 38%, p = NS), including early (6% vs 9%, p = NS) and long-term (16% vs 14%, p = NS) bronchial complication rates. Patients undergoing induction mediastinal radiotherapy, however, are at higher risk of bronchial complications. CONCLUSION: In our experience, the use of induction chemotherapy did not significantly increase mortality and morbidity rates, in particular, neither for early nor for late anastomotic complications. We, therefore, conclude that sleeve lobectomy after induction chemotherapy is safe and reliable procedure for the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC.