Effect of preoperative three-dimensional modeling on uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic bronchial sleeve resection and early postoperative outcomes

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative three-dimensional (3D) modeling on the performance of uniportal video -assisted thoracoscopic bronchial sleeve resection and early postoperative outcomes. Methods: A total of 10 patients (5 males, 5 females; mean age: 53.8 +/- 16.9 years; range, 18 to 75 years) who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic bronchial sleeve resection with preoperative 3D modeling between April 2021 and November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative 3D modeling was prepared using computed tomography with an open -source 3D software program. Demographic, clinical, intraoperative, and postoperative data of the patients were recorded. Anatomical landmarks identified by preoperative 3D modeling were compared with intraoperative findings. Results: The anatomical landmarks created with the 3D model were in 100% agreement with the intraoperative findings. The procedures performed were three left lower lobes, three right upper lobes, one middle lobe, one right lower lobe, and one parenchyma-sparing intermediate bronchial sleeve resection. Bronchial sleeve resection was completed using uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic technique in 90% of patients, with only one patient requiring conversion to open thoracotomy. The mean resection time was 264.2 +/- 40.5 min, and the mean anastomosis time was 86.0 +/- 20.3 min. Anastomosis times decreased with increasing experience (p=0.008). Postoperative atelectasis was observed in two patients, and there was no mortality. The mean follow-up duration was 12.2 +/- 11.8 months. Conclusion: Preoperative 3D modeling significantly contributed to the successful implementation of uniportal video -assisted thoracoscopic bronchial sleeve resection surgery. In the future, with advancements in simulation programs, patient-specific 3D modeling is expected to benefit the identification of anatomical landmarks for bronchial sleeve resections.