Novel Techniques in Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Lobectomy

Twenty years ago, thoracic surgery witnessed the leap from thoracotomy to the first video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. Gradually VATS lobectomy has become widely accepted and practiced worldwide. As the idea of less-invasive, fewer, and smaller incisions is taken up by surgeons, thoracic surgery has witnessed the progress of the conventional three-port VATS lung resection to two-port VATS and finally the birth of uniportal VATS lobectomy. Incisions have also become much smaller over the years, such as those seen in total port access lobectomy or microlobectomy. A modified version of the uniportal VATS lobectomy through the subxiphoid incision has also recently been used. The movement toward less-invasive surgery has no doubt driven the innovation of sophisticated instruments and technology to cope with the demanding need of working through a restricted incision. Reported outcomes and results of these new developments are encouraging.