Clinical trial · Interventional
VIdeo Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy Versus Conventional Open LobEcTomy for Lung Cancer
VIdeo Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy Versus Conventional Open LobEcTomy for Lung Cancer, a Multi-centre Randomised Controlled Trial With an Internal Pilot
NCT03521375CI-TRIAL-00047268VIOLETcompletedN/AClinicalTrials.gov clinicaltrialsProvenance
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and survival in the United Kingdom (UK) remains amongst the lowest in Europe. Surgery is the main method of managing early stage disease and is traditionally undertaken via conventional open surgery. However, over the last decade there has been a surge in the number of minimal access resections performed using Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, there remains a need for well-designed and conducted randomised controlled trial (RCT) to provide the evidence base for the wide spread uptake and delivery of this surgical approach.
Conditions
Conditions (1)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung Neoplasms | Lung Neoplasm | ONTOLOGY_EXACT | 0.98 |
Interventions
Interventions (2)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Surgery | Procedure | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) | Procedure | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- VATS lobectomy
- description
- VATS lobectomy is undertaken through one to four keyhole incisions without rib spreading. The use of 'rib spreading' is prohibited as this is the key intra-operative manoeuvre which disrupts tissues and causes pain (and is used in open surgery). The procedure is performed with videoscopic visualisation without direct vision. The hilar structures are dissected, stapled and divided. Endoscopic ligation of pulmonary arterial branches may be performed. The fissure is completed and the lobe of lung resected. Lymph node management is the same as described for open surgery. The incisions are closed in layers and may involve muscle, fat and skin layers. This definition of VATS lobectomy is a modification of CALGB 39802.
- interventionNames
- Procedure: Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
- type
- ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
- label
- Open lobectomy
- description
- Conventional open surgery is undertaken through a single incision +/- rib resection and with rib spreading. The operation is performed under direct vision with isolation of the hilar structures (vein, artery and bronchus) which are dissected, ligated and divided in sequence and the lobe of lung resected. The procedures may be undertaken using ligatures, over sewing or with staplers. Lymph node management is undertaken in accordance with the International Association of the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) recommendations where a minimal of 6 nodes / stations are removed, of which 3 are from the mediastinum that includes the subcarinal station. The thoracotomy is closed in layers starting from pericostal sutures over the ribs, muscle, fat and skin layers.
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 16 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged ≥16 years of age 2. Able to give written consent, undergoing either: i. Lobectomy or bilobectomy for treatment of known or suspected primary lung cancer beyond lobar orifice\* in TNM8 stage cT1-3 (by size criteria, equivalent to TNM7 stage cT1a-2b) or cT3 (by virtue of 2 nodules in the same lobe), N0-1 and M0 or ii. Undergoing frozen section biopsy with the intention to proceed with lobectomy or bilobectomy if primary lung cancer with a peripheral tumour beyond a lobar orifice\* in TNM8 stage cT1-3 (by size criteria, equivalent to TNM7 stage cT1a-2b) or cT3 (by virtue of 2 nodules in the same lobe), N0-1 and M0 is confirmed 3. Disease suitable for both minimal access (VATS) and open surgery Exclusion Criteria: 1. Adults lacking capacity to consent 2. Previous malignancy that influences life expectancy 3. Patients in whom a pneumonectomy, segmentectomy or non-anatomic resection (e.g. wedge resection) is planned 4. Patients with a serious concomitant disorder that would compromise patient safety during surgery. 5. Planned robotic surgery
References
Publications (1)
- BACKGROUNDLim E, Batchelor T, Shackcloth M, Dunning J, McGonigle N, Brush T, Dabner L, Harris R, Mckeon HE, Paramasivan S, Elliott D, Stokes EA, Wordsworth S, Blazeby J, Rogers CA; VIOLET Trialists. Study protocol for VIdeo assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy versus conventional Open LobEcTomy for lung cancer, a UK multicentre randomised controlled trial with an internal pilot (the VIOLET study). BMJ Open. 2019 Oct 14;9(10):e029507. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029507. PMID 31615795