Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Versus Traditional Open Lobectomy For Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

Objectives: To determine the effect of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)versus traditional open lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer.Methods: The Cochrane library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CBM and the relevantEnglish and Chinese journals were searched for the randomized controlled trials ofVATS versus traditional open lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Thesystematic review was performed using the method recommended by the CochraneCollaboration.Results: Four randomized controlled trials were included, revolving954patients.Compared with open lobectomy, the results of Meta-analysis showed VATS:(1) trendto obtain better clinical results towards survival rate, although no significant differencewas viewed;(2)can thoroughly complete systemic lymph node dissection, two kinds ofoperation method lymph node dissection count is not statistically different;(3) reducedthe total complication rate postoperatively;(4) reduced the operative time;(5) decreasedthe time of mean inpatient stay;(6) reduced the time of chest tube drainage andincidence of air leak postoperatively.Conclusions: The limited clinical trials show there is some evidence supportingthe use of video-assisted thoracic surgery and maybe VATS is a good alternative totraditional open lobectomy.