Advances in Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: Pushing the Envelope

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) represents a radical change in the approach to lung resection compared with conventional VATS. Because the placement of the surgical instruments and the camera is done through the same incision, uniportal VATS can pose a challenge for both the surgeon and the assistant. Recent industry improvements have made single-port VATS easier to learn. We can expect more developments of subcostal or embryonic natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery access, improvements in 3D image systems, single-port robotics, and wireless cameras. The advances in digital technology may facilitate the adoption of the uniportal VATS technique.