Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Oncol.
Sec. Surgical Oncology
Volume 14 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1417871

Unveiling the Synergetic Benefits of the Tunneling Technique Using Stapler Tractor in Precise Resection of Lung Segments: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Provisionally accepted
Shu-Sheng Zhu Shu-Sheng Zhu 1*Jian Zhu Jian Zhu 2*Liang Chen Liang Chen 3Quan Zhu Quan Zhu 3*Wei Liao Wei Liao 3*Jianan Zheng Jianan Zheng 3*Wei Wen Wei Wen 3*
  • 1 Taizhou Cancer Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
  • 2 General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, China
  • 3 Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Tunneling technique has shown preliminary promise in lung segmentectomy which requires the use of staplers in specific procedures.However, the obstacle when staples pass is the most obvious factor hindering the implementation and development of this technique. This study investigated whether the obstacle of the technology could be addressed by using an innovative self-designed stapler tractor and analyzed the combined and respective advantages of them.The clinical data of patients with lung nodules located near anatomical sites with potential tunnel creation treated by segmentectomy were analyzed in this retrospective case-control study. The data were divided into four groups according to four distinct surgical strategies: In Group A, the tunneling technique was performed with a stapler tractor; in Group B, the tunneling technique was performed without a stapler tractor; in Group C, didn't perform the tunneling technique but using stapler tractor in a normal approach; and in Group D, neither performed the technique nor used the stapler tractor. The general linear data, operation times, intraoperative adverse events, postoperative recovery and complications were compared.Compared with other groups, Group A exhibited the best surgical outcomes in comprehensive aspects. Separately, the tunnel groups (Group A&B) had better outcomes in the macro implementation of operation, including resection margin, the number of sampled intrapulmonary lymph nodes and resected subsegments, while the staple tractor groups (Group A&C) performed better on details of the procedure, including operation time, conversion to thoracotomy, and intraoperative bleeding (p < 0.05). Both of them were beneficial for shorter hospital stay, and the tunnel group was more advantageous.The tunneling technique is an advanced and beneficial surgical strategy for performing precise resection of lung segments while a stapler tractor can promote and facilitate it as a supplementary instrument. They show more combined benefits in effectively minimizing the occurrence of 3 / 18 erroneous injuries and enhancing the operational efficacy.

    Keywords: Lung segmentectomy, Tunneling technique, Stapler Tractor, medical instruments, Surgical strategy

    Received: 15 Apr 2024; Accepted: 23 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Zhu, Zhu, Chen, Zhu, Liao, Zheng and Wen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Shu-Sheng Zhu, Taizhou Cancer Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
    Jian Zhu, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, China
    Quan Zhu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
    Wei Liao, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
    Jianan Zheng, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
    Wei Wen, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.