Simultaneous bilateral thoracoscopic lobectomy for synchronous bilateral multiple primary lung cancer—single center experience

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of simultaneous bilateral thoracoscopic lobectomy and compare perioperative and late outcomes between simultaneous and staged bilateral thoracoscopic lobectomy. METHODS: Between January 2013 and December 2017, the medical records of patients who underwent bilateral thoracoscopic lobectomy for synchronous bilateral multiple primary lung cancer (SPLC) were reviewed retrospectively. Univariate analysis was used to examine the factors associated with morbidity. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In the simultaneous resection group (n=41) and the staged groups (n=66), 11 and 16 patients underwent postoperative complication, respectively, whereas no significant differences existed between two groups (P=0.850). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative comorbidities (P=0.009), FEV(1) <2 L (P=0.001), FEV(1)% <80% (P=0.036), and the number of pulmonary segments resected ≥9 (P=0.014) were the risk factors to increased simultaneous resection postoperative complication. In addition, simultaneous resection could significantly reduce total cost compared to staged resection (10,854.6±1,998.8 vs. 16,241.4±2,972.8 USD, P<0.001). In long-time outcomes, the patients with simultaneous resection showed better disease-free survival (DFS) than patients with staged resection at 5 years (67.7% vs. 45.9%, P=0.039). In subgroup analysis, simultaneous resection also had a significantly better survival than staged resection in patients with bilateral pure solid lesions or the biggest tumor size >3 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral thoracoscopic lobectomy could be a feasible option for SPLC based on appropriate patient selection and careful perioperative management. Meanwhile, simultaneous resection has significantly advantaged in reducing the cost, preventing tumor progression compare to staged resection.