POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AFTER VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACOSCOPIC AND OPEN LOBECTOMIES

The aim of the study: to conduct a comparative analysis of the frequency of postoperative complications after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries and open lobectomies.
Material and methods of the study. A retrospective analysis of 404 cases (276 video-assisted thoracoscopic and 128 open surgeries) was conducted at the Sakhalin Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary (2018– 2024). The incidence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, chylothorax, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism was assessed.
Results of the study and their discussion. The incidence of postoperative complications was comparable between the groups. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the analyzed parameters. At the same time, in the group of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries, there was a tendency towards a decrease in the incidence of chylothorax (0% versus 2,3% in the open surgery group, p = 0,056), hemothorax (0,7% versus 1,6%; OR 0,46, 95% CI 0,07–3,25) and systemic complications (myocardial infarction: 0,4% versus 1,6%; pulmonary embolism: 0,7% versus 1,6%). The incidence of pneumothorax was almost identical (6,2% versus 6,3%).
Conclusions. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy demonstrates a postoperative complication profile comparable to that of open surgery. The observed reduction in the incidence of certain complications supports the safety and potential advantages of this minimally invasive approach, supporting its widespread adoption in clinical practice.

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