Thoracoscopic-assisted lung lobectomy in cat cadavers using a resorbable self-locking ligation device

Abstract

Objective: To compare the maximum pressure sustained by airways sealed with a resorbable ligation device (LigaTie) and with thoracoabdominal (TA) staples during thoracoscopic-assisted hilar lung lobectomies. Study design: In situ cadaveric study. Animals: Ten feline cadavers. Methods: Twenty lung lobectomies were performed with either a LigaTie or a TA stapler (n = 10 per group) by using a thoracoscopic-assisted technique. Procedures were randomly performed on the cranial lung lobes only. The distance between the ligation and the hilus was measured on each specimen. Airway pressures were tested to a maximum pressure of 40 cmH 2 O. Results: All LigaTie sites reached a maximum airway pressure without leaking and were easily placed at the hilus. Four of 10 TA stapled sites leaked at a mean pressure of 22 cmH 2 O (P =.010). All leaks occurred when the TA staple line was >5 mm from the hilus; no leaks occurred when the TA staple line was ≤5 mm from the hilus (P