Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be a surrogate biomarker of prospective prognosis. Surgical manipulation can promote the dissemination of CTCs. Prognosis improvement is expected with the no-touch isolation technique (NTIT), preventing surgical manipulation. The Wedge resection of the tumor site before lobectomy could prevent surgical manipulation during lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and reduce the shedding of tumor cells, similar to a NTIT. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of wedge resection technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 624 resected NSCLC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided in two groups: Wedge and Non-Wedge. Overall survival (OS) curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The 5-year OS rates were 89.9% and 84.0% in the Wedge and Non-Wedge groups, respectively (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The OS in the Wedge group was significantly better than that in the Non-Wedge group. Wedge resection technique for NSCLC may be a NTIT.