
Quantifying the safety benefits of wedge resection: a society of thoracic surgery database propensity-matched analysis.
BACKGROUND: Wedge resection is often used instead of anatomic resection in an attempt to mitigate perioperative risk. In propensity-matched populations, we sought to compare the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing wedge resection with those undergoing anatomic resection. METHODS: The Society of Thoracic Surgery database was reviewed for stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing wedge resection and anatomic resection to analyze postoperative morbidity and mortality. Propensity scores were estimated using a logistic model adjusted for a variety of risk factors. Patients were then matched by propensity score using a greedy 5- to 1-digit matching algorithm, and compared using McNemar's test. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2011, 3,733 wedge resection and 3,733 anatomic resection patients were matched. The operative mortality was 1.21% for wedge resection versus 1.93% for anatomic resection (p=0.0118). Major morbidity occurred in 4.53% of wedge resection patients versus 8.97% of anatomic resection patients (p<0.0001). A reduction was noted in the incidence of pulmonary complications, but not cardiovascular or neurologic complications. There was a consistent reduction in major morbidity regardless of age, lung function, or type of incision. Mortality was reduced in patients with preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 85% predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Wedge resection has a 37% lower mortality and 50% lower major morbidity rate than anatomic resection in these propensity-matched populations. The mortality benefit is most apparent in patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 85% predicted. These perioperative benefits must be carefully weighed against the increase in locoregional recurrence and possible decrease in long-term survival associated with the use of wedge resection for primary lung cancers.
Duke Scholars
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- United States
- Treatment Outcome
- Thoracic Surgical Procedures
- Thoracic Surgery
- Survival Rate
- Societies, Medical
- Risk Factors
- Respiratory System
- Prospective Studies
- Propensity Score
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- United States
- Treatment Outcome
- Thoracic Surgical Procedures
- Thoracic Surgery
- Survival Rate
- Societies, Medical
- Risk Factors
- Respiratory System
- Prospective Studies
- Propensity Score