Objectives Surgical lung resection involves a critical task of stapled ligation and transection of major vascular structures and tissue, which may lead to bleeding and complications. A newer powered stapling system with Gripping Surface Technology (GST) was introduced to account for tissue movements. This study aimed to examine the real-world effectiveness of GST system on intraoperative outcomes of pulmonary resection.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the electronic medical records of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital between July 2020 and March 2021 in China. Patients who underwent their first single-port lobectomy or multi-port segmentectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were identified and grouped as GST or non-GST system by the stapler used. The intraoperative outcomes including bleeding and intervention (including intraoperative pressure, suture, and electrocoagulation) at the staple line were documented by trained nurses during the surgery. Propensity score matching was performed between the two groups using the variables: age, BMI, smoking history, history of surgery, complications, and level of complexity of pneumonectomy.

Results: A total of 108 matched patients were included in the analysis (54 in the GST group and 54 in the non-GST group). GST group had a significantly lower percentage for intraoperative bleeding (22.8% vs 51.9%; p = 0.003) and intraoperative interventions (31.5% vs 55.6%; p = 0.02), compared to the non-GST group. A decrease in the intraoperative blood loss was observed in the GST group, though not statistically significant (134.39 ± 52.82 ml vs 158.11 ± 73.14 ml, p = 0.102). The use of Neoveil (reinforcement material to prevent air leakage from the staple line) intraoperatively during surgery was significantly lower in the GST group (24.1%) then in the non-GST group (50%, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: The use of the GST system was associated with better intraoperative outcomes and lower Neoveil consumption in clinical practice in China.