Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of single-direction video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in the treatment of benign pulmonary diseases.
Methods: From May 2006 to Dec 2009, 60 patients with benign pulmonary diseases were treated by single-direction complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. Nine cases were bronchiectasis, 7 bronchial cyst, 7 tuberculoma, 11 inflammatory pseudotumor, 6 sclerosing hemangioma, 4 hamartoma, 2 atelectasis with bronchial stenosis, 2 pulmonary aspergillosis, 2 pulmonary sequestration, 8 multiple bullae and 2 cases of mid-lobe syndrome. In the 60 patients, there were 18 cases received right upper lobectomy, and right middle lobectomy in 11 cases, right lower lobectomy in 7 cases, left upper lobectomy in 6 cases, left lower lobectomy in 18 cases.
Results: There was one conversion to open surgery. One patient died of postoperative pneumonia. The average operation time was 169 min (range, 70-265 min), average blood loss was 125 mL (range, 10-70 mL), average drainage was 860 mL (range, 20-3500 mL) and average duration of drainage was 4 days (range, 2-16 days). The average postoperative hospital stay was 7.9 days (range, 4-19 days).
Conclusion: Single-direction complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is feasible and safe in the treatment of benign pulmonary diseases.