Estimating the risk of conversion from video-assisted thoracoscopic lung surgery to thoracotomy—a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Understanding the risk of conversion from video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to thoracotomy is important when considering patient selection and preoperative surgical risk assessment. This review aims to estimate the rate of intraoperative conversions to thoracotomy, predictive factors, and associated outcomes for VATS anatomic lung resections. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched systematically in May of 2020. Observational studies examining conversions of VATS anatomic resections to thoracotomy were included. Conversion rates, causes, risk factors, and post-operative outcomes were reviewed and analyzed in aggregate. RESULTS: Twenty retrospective studies were reviewed, with a total of 72,932 patients undergoing VATS anatomic lung resection. The median conversion rate was 9.6% (95% CI: 6.6–13.9%). Nine studies reported a total of 114 emergency conversions, with a median incidence rate of 1.3% (95% CI: 0.6–2.8%). The most common reasons for thoracotomy were vascular injury/bleeding, difficulty lymph node dissection, and adhesions, accounting for 27.9%, 26.2% and 19% of conversions, respectively. Risk factors for conversion varied, but frequently included nodal disease, large tumors, and induction therapy. The risk of complications (OR 2.06; 95% CI: 1.77–2.40) and mortality (OR 4.11; 95% CI: 1.59–10.61) were significantly increased following conversions. There was also a significant increase in chest tube duration and length of stay following conversion. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of conversion to thoracotomy may be as high as one in ten patients undergoing VATS anatomic lung resections, but may vary significantly based on patient selection. Although emergent conversions are rare, the need for thoracotomy may significantly increase postoperative morbidity and mortality.