Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: Pulmonary Lobectomy.
Three techniques are currently used to perform video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy:endoscopic hilar dissection, minithoracotomy, and mass stapling of the lobar pedicle at the hilum. The reported results demonstrate that VATS lobectomy is technically feasible and safe. In comparison with open lobectomy, it is associated with less postoperative pain and a reduced incidence of respiratory complications. Lymph node harvest is equal to that achieved at open surgery, and the available intermediate survival data for stage I or II bronchogenic carcinoma indicate that VATS resection is at least equal to open lobectomy. Preliminary laboratory data suggest that a VATS approach may result in decreased cytokine activation and cell immunity changes.
Walker
WS
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Associated Hospitals, Edinburgh, Scotland