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Background The aim of this study was to compare the short and long-term results between sleeve resection ( SR) and pneumonectomy ( PN) in lung cancer patients over 70 years of age. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 105 lung cancer patients over 70 years of age who had undergone SR or PN at Shanghai Chest Hospital from January 2003 to December 2012. Results The SR group showed a higher frequency of airway clearance via bronchoscopy (48.6% vs. 25.7%, P = 0.04), longer surgical time (162.7 vs. 140.9 minutes, P = 0.01), and shorter postoperative stay (13.7 vs. 18.1 days, P = 0.02) than the PN group. There was no difference in hospital mortality ( P = 1.00) or morbidity ( P = 0.40) between the two groups. A logistic regression model showed that preoperative predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second was the only independent risk factor for overall morbidity ( P = 0.04). In survival analysis, SR showed better prognosis than PN (median 50.0 vs. 20.0 months, P < 0.01). In subgroup analysis, SR showed better survival in N0 ( P = 0.03) and N1 ( P < 0.01) cases, but not in N2 cases ( P = 0.36). It also showed better survival in stage I + II patients ( P = 0.03), but not in stage III patients ( P = 0.10). Conclusions Although PN could be carried out as safely as SR in patients over 70 years of age with a good pulmonary reservoir, SR is still recommended as a less traumatic procedure, sparing lung parenchyma with better long-term results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study was to report a single referral center experience in robotic extended thymectomy for clinical early stage thymomas, evaluating its safety, feasibility and efficacy, with special regard to oncological outcomes. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2012, we retrospectively selected patients who underwent robotic extended thymectomy for clinical early stage thymomas. Operative time, morbidity, mortality, duration of hospitalization, and overall and disease-free survival were analyzed. Results There were 23 patients (15 males, eight females) with a mean age of 49.3 years (range 20-66). There were no intra-operative complications, and no mortality. The mean operative time was 85.2 minutes (range 60-180). No patient underwent conversion to open surgery. All post-operative complications (4.3%) were conservatively treated. The mean post-operative stay was 3.6 days (range two to nine). The pathological analysis revealed Masaoka stage I (21 cases) and II (two cases). No disease recurrence occurred at a mean follow-up of 24.8 months. Conclusions Robotic thymectomy is a safe and feasible technique, with a short operative time and low morbidity. Even on a small series with short follow-up, robotic extended thymectomy for thymoma appeared to be an effective treatment for early-stage thymomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]