Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is associated with better perioperative outcomes than open lobectomy in a veteran population

Background: We sought to establish the feasibility and efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy in treating lung cancer in a veteran population. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters in 46 VATS versus 45 open lobectomy patients at a single center. Results: The 2 groups were similar in preoperative and intraoperative variables. Although surgical mortality was not significantly different after lobectomy performed with VATS (0 of 46) compared with open lobectomy (2 of 45, 4%; P =.2), there were fewer complications in VATS patients (14 of 46, 30%) than their open counterparts (26 of 45, 58%; P =.009). VATS patients also had a shorter chest tube duration and length of stay. In multivariate analysis, VATS was associated independently with a reduced risk of complications (odds ratio,.359; P =.04). Conclusions: VATS lobectomy in a veteran population is feasible and safe and may lead to better perioperative outcomes than open thoracotomy without compromising oncologic principles.