Three-Dimensional Guided Cone-Shaped Segmentectomy Versus Lobectomy for Small-sized Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Middle Third of the Lung Field

BackgroundSegmentectomy has been recommended for peripheral small-sized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to evaluate whether three dimensionally (3D) guided cone-shaped segmentectomy can achieve long-term outcomes comparable with lobectomy for small-sized NSCLC in the middle third of the lung parenchyma.MethodsThis study retrospectively screened patients with small NSCLC (& LE;2 cm) who underwent segmentectomy or lobectomy between January 2012 and June 2019. Tumor location was determined by 3D multiplanar reconstruction. The cone-shaped segmentectomy was performed with the guidance of 3D computed tomographic bronchography and angiography. The log-rank test, Cox hazard proportional regression, and propensity score-matching analyses were adopted for prognostic evaluation.ResultsAfter screening, 278 patients with segmentectomy and 174 subjects undergoing lobectomy were selected. All the patients had R0 resection, and no 30- or 90-day mortality was observed. The median follow-up time was 47.3 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 99.6 %, and the disease-free survival (DFS) was 97.5 % for the patients undergoing segmentectomy. After propensity score-matching, the patients with segmentectomy (n = 112) had an OS (P = 0.530) and a DFS (P = 0.390) similar to those of the patients who underwent lobectomy (n = 112). The multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated no significant survival differences between segmentectomy and lobectomy [DFS: hazard ratio, 0.56 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.16-1.97, P = 0.369); OS: HR, 0.35 (95 % CI 0.06-2.06, P = 0.245)] after adjustment for other factors. Further analysis showed that segmentectomy achieved comparable OS (P = 0.540) and DFS (P = 0.930) for NSCLC in the middle-third and peripheral lung parenchyma (n = 454).ConclusionsFor selected NSCLCs size 2 cm or smaller in the middle third of the lung field, 3D-guided cone-shaped segmentectomy was able to achieve long-term outcomes comparable with lobectomy.