OBJECTIVETo compare the short-term outcomes and pulmonary function loss between thoracoscopic anatomical partial-lobectomy and thoracoscopic lobectomy on the patients with pT1aN0M0 peripheral non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 191 patients with pT1aN0M0 peripheral non-small cell lung cancer received thoracoscopic anatomical pneumonectomy between January 2013 and July 2013 in Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was analyze retrospectively. There were 71 patients underwent thoracoscopic anatomical partial-lobectomy and 120 patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. Demographic features, operation time, blood loss, number of dissected lymph nodes, chest tube duration, drainage volume, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, two-year progress and pulmonary function loss of FEV1% (percentage of the predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second) at 6 months were retrospectively reviewed and compared by t test, rank-sum test, χ² test and Fisher exact test.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in operation time, blood loss, number of dissected lymph nodes, chest tube duration, drainage volume, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complication rate (P > 0.05). The two-year progress rate between two groups did not differ significantly either (1.4% vs. 1.7%, χ² = 0.000, P = 1.000). Pulmonary function loss of FEV1% at 6 months was significantly smaller in thoracoscopic anatomical partial lobectomy group than thoracoscopic lobectomy group (14% ± 4% vs. 16% ± 4%, t = 2.408, P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONSThoracoscopic anatomical partial-lobectomy is safe and feasible for patients with pT1aN0M0 peripheral non-small cell lung cancer. It could achieve equal short-term effect and reserve more pulmonary function compared with thoracoscopic lobectomy.