Technical tricks to facilitate totally endoscopic major pulmonary resections

Ann Thorac Surg. 2008 Jul;86(1):323-6. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.01.091.

Abstract

Lobectomies using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) are becoming more and more accepted since several recent studies have demonstrated their safety and efficacy for stage I lung cancer. However, "video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy" usually means that a utility incision or a mini-thoracotomy is used for insertion of conventional instruments. We use a totally endoscopic approach in which only endoscopic instruments and video display are used. On the basis of our preliminary experience of 81 cases with this approach, we present some technical details that are important for a successful endoscopic procedure.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / surgery*
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / instrumentation
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Pneumonectomy / instrumentation
  • Pneumonectomy / methods*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / methods