Is wedge resection equivalent to segmentectomy in pathological stage IA (≤2 cm) non‐small cell lung cancers?

Abstract Background Sublobar resection (wedge resection and segmentectomy) has been established as an oncologically equivalent option to lobectomy for early‐stage patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ≤ 2 cm. However, the optimal approach of sublobar resection remains subject to debate. In the present study we aimed to compare the oncological outcomes of wedge resection and segmentectomy in these patients. Methods We identified patients with pT1a‐bN0M0 NSCLC who underwent wedge resection and segmentectomy from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2010 and 2020. A Cox regression model and propensity‐score matching (PSM) analysis were used. Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer‐specific survival (LCSS) were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results A total of 4190 patients met our selection criteria, including wedge resection in 3137 and segmentectomy in 1053. Patients undergoing wedge resection were less likely to have total lymph nodes resected (4 vs. 7, p