The advantages of preoperative 3D reconstruction over 2D-CT in thoracoscopic segmentectomy

Abstract Performing a pulmonary segmentectomy is a complex process, with precise localization of pulmonary nodules and recognition of intraoperative anatomical variations posing significant challenges. This study aims to assess the advantages of preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction (3D-RE) in thoracoscopic segmentectomy. The study, at Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, analyzed data from segmentectomy patients from January 2016 to February 2022. It compared 3D-RE and two-dimensional computed tomography (2D-CT) preoperative scans, focusing on perioperative complications within30 days to identify any differences. This investigation encompassed a total of 265 instances, with 148 belonging to the 3D-RE group and 117 aligned with the 2D-CT group. The 3D-RE group showed reduced intraoperative blood loss and shorter postoperative hospital stays ( P < 0.001). They also had higher rates of lymph node sampling and combined subsegmentectomy and segmentectomy procedures ( P < 0.01). Postoperative complications, particularly pneumonia and lung fistula, were lower in the 3D-RE group ( P = 0.041). The rates of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) were significantly higher in the 3D-RE group, while adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and benign cases were less common ( P = 0.006). Surgical duration, chest tube duration, chest drainage volume, surgery complexity, and pathological diagnoses showed no significant differences between the groups. Utilization of preoperative 3D-RE holds potential to minimize both intraoperative and postoperative complications, thereby enhancing the safety and feasibility of undertaking segmentectomy procedures.