The emerging role of minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of lung malignancy in the elderly.

TitleThe emerging role of minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of lung malignancy in the elderly.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsHeerdt PM, Park BJ
JournalAnesthesiol Clin
Volume26
Issue2
Pagination315-24, vi-vii
Date Published2008 Jun
ISSN1932-2275
KeywordsAged, Animals, Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Risk Assessment, Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive, Thoracic Surgical Procedures
Abstract

As a consequence of the general aging of the population, improved diagnostic techniques, and preoperative interventions to enhance the efficacy of surgical therapy, increasing numbers of elderly patients are presenting for pulmonary resection. Clear association between advanced age and the perioperative morbidity and mortality associated with lung cancer surgery has generated considerable interest in applying minimally invasive operative techniques in the geriatric population under the belief that this approach will improve outcome. This review examines the available data regarding video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and concludes that this technique for the surgical treatment of early-stage lung cancer may parallel conventional thoracotomy in terms of oncologic efficacy while decreasing perioperative morbidity in the elderly.

DOI10.1016/j.anclin.2008.01.009
Alternate JournalAnesthesiol Clin
PubMed ID18456216