Thoracoscopic lingulectomy

Minimally invasive pulmonary segmentectomy makes adequate oncologic treatment possible in selected cases while preserving lung parenchyma and minimizing perioperative morbidity and length of hospital stay. Most lung segments may be resected as segmentectomies or as part of bisegmentectomies (as is the case for the lingula). Although several variations of minimally invasive pulmonary segmentectomy have been described, I favor a fully thoracoscopic multiport approach that offers direct access to the segmental structures and is straightforward and versatile enough to allow adaptation in case of unexpected intraoperative findings (such as conversion to lobectomy in the case of positive margins). Key aspects of the procedure include proper patient positioning, appropriate positioning of operating trocars, standardized technique to expose and dissect the segmental vein, bronchus, and artery, and accurate division of the fissure and intersegmental plane.