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01-09-2016 | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic lung resections in Germany—a nationwide survey

Authors: Martin Reichert, Andrea Birgitta Gohlke, Florian Augustin, Dietmar Öfner, Andreas Hecker, Winfried Padberg, Johannes Bodner

Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is an accepted alternative to thoracotomy for anatomic lung resection (AR) and literature suggests benefits over the conventional open approach. However, it’s routine clinical application is still low and varies within different countries.

Methods

Nationwide survey among thoracic surgical units in Germany, evaluating the departmental structure, volume of the VATS program, experience with VATS-AR (lobectomies and other-than-lobectomies-anatomic-resections), surgical technique and learning curve data.

Results

Response rate among the 269 surgical units practicing thoracic surgery in Germany was 84.4 % (n = 227). One hundred twenty-two (53.7 %) units do have experience with any type of VATS-AR. The majority of units started the VATS program only within the last 5 years and 17.2 % (n = 21) of the units have performed more than 100 procedures by now. In 2013, 78.7 % of the units performed less than 25 % of their institutional AR via a VATS approach. Indications for VATS-AR were non-small cell lung cancer in 93.4 % (up to UICC-stage IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA in 7 %, 22.8 %, 33.3 %, 17.5 %, 7 %, respectively), benign diseases in 57.4 %, and pulmonary metastases in 50.8 %. 43.4 % of the departments had experience with extended VATS-AR and 28.7 % performed VATS-AR after induction-therapy.

Conclusions

Every second thoracic surgical unit in Germany does have experience in VATS-AR though only about 20 % of them perform it routinely and also in extended procedures.

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Title: Video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic lung resections in Germany—a nationwide survey
Authors: Martin Reichert
Andrea Birgitta Gohlke
Florian Augustin
Dietmar Öfner
Andreas Hecker
Winfried Padberg
Johannes Bodner
Publication date: 01-09-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 1435-2443
Electronic ISSN: 1435-2451
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-016-1481-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic lung resections in Germany—a nationwide survey

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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