[Initial Experience with Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Anatomical Lung Resections: A Propensity Score Study and an Observational Assessment of the Learning Curve].

INTRODUCTION: Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) for anatomical lung resections has gained popularity of late. This study aimed to elucidate the impediments to implementing the uniportal access method into the daily routine of VATS lung resections. To this end, we reviewed our initial experience and evaluated our progress.

METHODS: From January to May 2016, 24 consecutive UVATS anatomical lung resections (UVATS group) were performed by a single surgeon without any previous experience in UVATS surgery. These cases were matched in a one-to-one fashion with a cohort of 102 patients who had undergone "classical" VATS anatomical lung resections (VATS group) in the past 2’years performed by the same surgeon, using the nearest estimated propensity score. Based on an initial analysis, the UVATS group was further divided into two subgroups, UVATS1 and UVATS2 , consisting of the first and last 12 cases.

RESULTS: No UVATS patient required conversion to thoracotomy or needed an additional port. The VATS group had a shorter mean operation time if compared with the UVATS1 subgroup (MVATS = 152, MUVATS1  = 191; p = 0.019), but not if compared with the UVATS2 subgroup (MVATS = 152, MUVATS2  = 152; p = 1). There was no difference between the groups in the number of lymph node stations sampled (MVATS = 7, MUVATS1  = 7, MUVATS2  = 7; p = 0.92), the average number of dissected lymph nodes (MVATS = 19, MUVATS1  = 15, MUVATS2  = 18; p = 0.659), and the number and type of postoperative complications. As demonstrated on an audio-analogue pain scale (AAS), the UVATS groups needed significantly less pain medication until discharge (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The adoption of uniportal VATS for anatomical lung resections can be accomplished without any impact on operative or clinical success, if performed by a surgeon already experienced in "classical" VATS. In our experience, there was no need for additional courses, proctored cases or modification of surgical instruments, although all options mentioned above may facilitate adoption.