Comparative Outcomes of Elderly Stage I Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Segmentectomy via Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery versus Open Resection

Using SEER data the authors compared open to VATS segmental resection in a population of pts >65 years old. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for baseline differences between the groups. VATS pts had lower complication rates, fewer ICU admissions, and shorter length of hospital stay. Outcomes did not appear to be surgeon-specific. Survival was similar between the groups.