Long-term survival outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer are more favorable than thoracotomy: a propensity score-matched analysis from a high-volume center in China

Abstract

The VATS lobectomy is associated with less blood loss, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter postoperative hospital stay when comparing with the open approach for stage I-II NSCLC. Despite more hospital costs, VATS lobectomy offer improved 5-year OS than the open approach. It is reasonable to recommend the VATS approach as the preferred option for the surgical treatment of stage I-II NSCLC.