EVALUATING RECOVERY OUTCOMES IN ATHLETES FOLLOWING SEGMENTAL VS. LOBECTOMY THORACOSCOPY FOR LUNG CANCER: A CLINICAL EFFICACY COMPARISON

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the clinical efficacy and postoperative recovery outcomes of thoracoscopic segmental resection versus lobectomy in treating athletes with lung cancer. Methods: Fifty lung cancer patients, all of whom were athletes admitted to our hospital from 2019 to 2021, were included in this study. Following a diagnostic CT scan, patients underwent either thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmental resection and were grouped accordingly. Both groups underwent systematic lymph node dissection and received postoperative analgesics. Key metrics compared between groups included the extent of lymph node dissection, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, incision length, postoperative complications, and quality of life assessments using the QLQ-C30 scale at one month and one-year post-surgery. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups in the extent of lymph node dissection or mediastinal node stations (P > 0.05). The observation group (segmental resection) experienced longer operation times but showed statistically significant reductions in intraoperative bleeding, incision length, and a lower overall incidence of complications compared to the control group (lobectomy), although this last was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Most notably, the quality-of-life scores at one month and one-year post-surgery were significantly higher in the segmental resection group (P <0.05). Conclusion: Thoracoscopic segmental resection may offer a preferable alternative to lobectomy for lung cancer treatment in athletes, with reduced surgical trauma and enhanced postoperative recovery that can significantly improve quality of life. These findings suggest that segmental resection should be considered more broadly in clinical practice, especially for patients whose physical performance and rapid return to athletics are prioritized.