Randomized study of video-assisted thoracoscopic versus open lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer

There is limited randomized evidence on the comparative outcomes of early-stage lung cancer resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) versus open resection. The multicenter randomized VIOLET trial in the United Kingdom found that VATS lobectomy for lung cancer was associated with a better recovery of physical function in the 5 weeks after random assignment compared with open surgery. At 52 weeks, there were no differences in progression-frree or overall survival. Long-term oncologic outcomes will require continued follow-up to assess.