Single Interspace Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy—Analysis of Technique and Comparison With Standard Lobectomy

Background: Video Assisted Thoracoscopic (VAT) lobectomy has been an increasingly accepted technique in the management of early stage non-small cell lung cancer [ [1] Whitson B.A. Groth S.S. Duval S.J. Swanson S.J. Maddaus M. Surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review of the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus thoracotomy approaches to lobectomy. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008; 86 ([discussion 2016-8]): 2008-2016 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (510) Google Scholar ]. Its proposed benefits focus on decreased morbidity particularly length of stay, acute post-operative pain, chronic pain and subsequently decreased mortality [ [2] Shaw J.P. Dembitzer F.R. Wisnivesky J.P. Litle V.R. Weiser T.S. Yun J. et al. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: state of the art and future directions. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008; 85: S705-S709 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (87) Google Scholar ]. We review our novel technique using a single interspace approach over the accepted triangulation approach. We compare the outcomes to standard thoracotomies at the same institution and the VATS literature.