Subxiphoid uniportal thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy for stage I non‐small cell lung cancer: Feasibility, quality of life and financial worthiness

BACKGROUND: Subxiphoid uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SVATS) is more technically challenging than intercostal uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS), especially in more complex procedures such as segmentectomy. We therefore aimed to investigate the worthiness of undertaking the more demanding subxiphoid approach in patients who had undergone anatomical segmentectomy for stage IA non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A total of 491 patients were included in our study who had undergone anatomical segmentectomy for stage IA non‐small cell lung cancer from September 2014 to April 2018. They were divided into two groups; 278 patients in the UVATS group and 213 patients in the SVATS group. Different perioperative variables, postoperative pain, quality of life and cost were analyzed and compared between both groups. RESULTS: The SVATS group showed a significantly longer operative time (P = 0.007) and more operative blood loss than the intercostal group (P = 0.004). There was no significant difference between both groups regarding postoperative drainage, duration of chest tube, postoperative hospital stay, operative conversion or postoperative complications. The SVATS group showed a significantly lower pain score postoperatively (P < 0.001). In addition, the SVATS group showed a significantly better postoperative quality of life score along the first postoperative year (P < 0.001). UVATS segmentectomy appeared to be significantly cheaper than SVATS segmentectomy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SVATS segmentectomy for stage IA lung cancer is a safe procedure that is worth proceeding with as it is associated with better postoperative pain and better quality of life in the first postoperative year. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the actual cost‐effectiveness of SVATS segmentectomy. KEY POINTS: • Significant findings of the study Subxiphoid uniportal approach for pulmonary segmentectomy is safe and feasible approach. It has better postoperative pain and better quality of life than the uniportal intercostal approach; however, it is more expensive. • What this study adds Subxiphoid uniportal approach for pulmonary segmentectomy gives a better quality of life in Chinese patients than the intercostal approach; however, it is more expensive.