Indication of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Abstract

: Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) has been recognized as a one of minimally invasive surgery among thoracic surgeons. For some diseases such as some benign inflammatory diseases, mediastinal tumor, metastatic lung tumor, and lung cancer in thoracic surgery, U-VATS has already been applied. There is no definite indication of U-VATS even in lung cancer. According to the surgeon’s ability at the institute, indication of U-VATS for the lesion that is benign or malignant is determined at this moment. The clarification of indication of U-VATS is also essential for doing safe surgery. On the other hand, prognosis of U-VATS anatomical lung resection for early lung cancer remains still unclear in detail. Recently, U-VATS has been started to perform even in advanced lung cancer. In spite of the vague surgical outcomes of U-VATS, it is certain that indication of U-VATS has gradually expanded. Oncologically, there is a room to argue on U-VATS anatomical lung resection for lung cancer still more. Additionally, the application of U-VATS for advanced lung cancer possesses a little unreliable due to possibility of incomplete lymph node dissection. Because the unfavorable outcomes for the patients with lung cancer such as local recurrence and severe troubles during surgery causes, the clarification of indication of U-VATS is an urgent issue. Based on our experience, we reviewed the indication of U-VATS for lung cancer.