부산대학교 도서관

Thoracoscopic partial pulmonary resection for small peripheral nodules not using a stapler has been introduced to our hospital. After partial resection was performed with electrocautery, two different methods of surface sealing were used: coagulation method (C method) with SOFT COAG alone, and coagulation-suturing method (CS method) with SOFT COAG combined with continuous suturing. The clinical outcomes using the two methods were retrospectively compared in this study. The C method was performed in 19 lesions of 18 cases, and the CS method was performed in 20 lesions of 19 cases. Primary lung cancer was the most frequent, comprising 22 lesions of 21 cases. There was no difference between the two groups in the size or depth of the lesions. The operative time was longer with the CS method than C method. Postoperative air leakage was a complication in 4 cases with the C method, and one of them required re-do surgery, whereas only one case with the CS method had temporary air leakage. Postoperative computed tomography revealed cavitation in 3 cases of the C method and 5 cases of the CS method, all without related symptoms. There was no local recurrence at resected sites. In conclusion, the C method was technically easy to perform, but air leakage may be prolonged after surgery. The CS method may have the advantage of causing less air leakage than the C method, but learning the technical skill is important to shorten the opearative time.