Optimal Approach to Lobectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ng and colleagues reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2018 to compare lobectomy approaches of multiport, uniportal, and robotic video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and open lobectomy, with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations for the optimal surgical approach for early stage non­–small cell lung cancer. One hundred and forty-five studies were included in the meta-analysis, which supported the usage of VATS approaches for lobectomy. Multiport VATS was found to have a lower rate of adverse events and less pain than open lobectomy. The different VATS approaches were similar to each other for most outcomes, with uniportal VATS potentially being associated with less pain.