Sequence of Vessel Interruption and Circulating Tumor Cells in Surgical Lung Cancer

The pulmonary tumor-drainage vein is first exposed and punctured with a 23-gauge needle, and 7.5 ml of blood is drawn from the pulmonary vein prior to subsequent surgical manipulation for lobectomy. Collected blood is versed in a Cellsearch tube provided by the manufacturer (Menarini Silicon Biosystems, Castel Maggiore, Italy). In the "vein first" group, the lobar vein is dissected and the cartridge and anvil of a vascular cartridge stapler are placed on either side of the vein. The vein is punctured above the stapler with a 23-gauge needle and 7.5 ml of blood is drawn. Finally, the vein is cut. The intervention then proceeds in the usual manner.

The pulmonary tumor-drainage vein is first exposed and punctured with a 23-gauge needle, and 7.5 ml of blood is drawn from the pulmonary vein prior to subsequent surgical manipulation for lobectomy. Collected blood is versed in a Cellsearch tube provided by the manufacturer (Menarini Silicon Biosystems, Castel Maggiore, Italy). In the "arteries before vein" group, lobar arteries are first dissected and interrupted (+/- the bronchus and inter-lobar fissures). The lobar vein is then dissected and blood sample is performed as described above.