Is video‐assisted thoracoscopy a sufficient approach for mediastinal lymph node dissection to treat lung cancer after neoadjuvant therapy?

BACKGROUND: The role of video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following neoadjuvant therapy remains controversial. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the sufficiency of VATS by evaluating perioperative and long‐term outcomes. METHODS: Patients with locally advanced NSCLC and treated with radical surgery after neoadjuvant therapy were identified in our database. The thoroughness of MLND was compared by approach. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of sufficient MLND. Propensity score matching was performed. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to assess long‐term survival. RESULTS: Of the 127 enrolled patients, 56 underwent attempted VATS and 71 underwent thoracotomy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that approach was not a predictor of sufficient MLND (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.364–1.803; P = 0.606). After matching, 28 pairs of patients were selected from the two groups. There was no significant difference between the numbers of dissected lymph nodes (15 vs. 20; P = 0.191) and nodal stations (7 vs. 7; P = 0.315). Recurrence‐free (log‐rank P = 0.613) and overall survival (log‐rank P = 0.379) was similar in both groups. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model analysis indicated that VATS was not an independent predictor of recurrence‐free (hazard ratio 0.955, 95% CI 0.415–2.198; P = 0.913) or overall survival (hazard ratio 0.841, 95% CI 0.338–2.093; P = 0.709). CONCLUSION: Compared to thoracotomy, VATS is a sufficient approach for MLND to treat locally advanced NSCLC following neoadjuvant therapy without compromising long‐term survival.