Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: a word of caution

Advances in video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) surgery allow it to assume an increasingly important therapeutic role. Two successful VAT lobectomies (left upper lobe and right lower lobe) were performed in patients with stage I adenocarcinoma. An 8 cm access minithoracotomy for hilar dissection and subsequent specimen delivery was used. Routine mediastinal node sampling was performed thoracoscopically as would be done conventionally. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy of the right upper lobe was attempted in another patient but he required emergency conversion to open thoracotomy because of bleeding from mechanical failure of the vascular staple-cutter. Although VAT lobectomy is feasible technically, attention to detail is important when mechanical devices are used to minimize the chance of malfunctioning. Once disaster occurs the surgeon should be capable of dealing with the consequences.