Usefulness of a suction ball coagulation probe for hemostasis in complete VATS lobectomy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: In recent years, several reports have noted that the specific coagulation mode called "soft coagulation" with modern electrosurgical tools offers superior hemostasis. The "suction ball coagulation" (SBC) device, which can achieve hemostasis using a soft coagulation mode and simultaneous suction, has been developed as a next step. This study aimed to evaluate the hemostatic effects of SBC in comparison to a conventional soft coagulation device (non-SBC) in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 351 patients who underwent complete VATS lobectomy for NSCLC. A propensity score analysis generated matched pairs from the patients in the SBC and non-SBC groups (119 patients each).

RESULTS: After propensity score matching, the bleeding volume during surgery in the SBC group (27.0 g) was significantly less than that in the non-SBC group (42.0 g, p < 0.001). No significant difference was seen in the frequency of postoperative complications. A logistic regression analysis identified the non-use of SBC as an independent risk factor for greater intraoperative blood loss during complete VATS lobectomy (odds ratio 3.14, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: SBC was safe for complete VATS lobectomy in patients with NSCLC, and the use of this device was associated with significantly decreased intraoperative blood loss.