Absorbable Clips Applied in Thoracoscopic Anatomical Lung Resection in Younger Children

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a 5-mm absorbable clips applied in thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection in younger children. Methods Demographic data and intra- and postoperative parameters of the two groups (Abs-o-lock® group and Hem-o-lok® group) were reviewed. In the Abs-o-lock® group, 5-mm absorbable clips were used in thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection on all patients from January 2020 to March 2021. In the Hem-o-lok® group, 5-mm Hem-o-lok® clips were used from January to December 2019. The primary outcomes were the one-time success rate of ligation, major bleeding rate, intraoperative dislodgement rate and operative time, which were compared between the two groups. Results There were 224 patients involved in this study, of whom 103 were in the Abs-o-lock® group and 121 were in the Hem-o-lok® group. The one-time success rate of ligation was 96.5% in the Abs-o-lock® group and 98.9% in the Hem-o-lok® group ( p < 0.05). No major bleeding occurred in either group. The intraoperative dislodgement rate did not significantly differ between the two groups ( p = 1.0). The operative time consumed in the Abs-o-lock® group was much longer than that in the Hem-o-lok® group for subgroups of resection of extralobar sequestration ( p < 0.05), lobectomy ( p < 0.05) and segmentectomy ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Compared to Hem-o-lok® clips, it is feasible and safe to apply 5-mm absorbable clips for vessel sealing during thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection in younger children.