Systemic, Pleural, and Alveolar Cytokine Responses After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Versus Open Lobectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective Observational Study

Background/Objectives: Surgical access and one-lung ventilation (OLV) may generate distinct systemic and local inflammatory responses after lung resection. We compared perioperative cytokine profiles in serum, pleural fluid, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).