Transareolar uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of male patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules: a novel technique in thoracic surgery

In this study, we report the use of transareolar uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in thoracic surgery for the treatment of male patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules. From February 2014 to September 2018, 46 male patients with small PPNs underwent VATS, of whom 41 underwent unilateral VATS, and five underwent bilateral VATS. All procedures were successfully performed. Patients received 1 year of outpatient follow-up postoperatively. The data indicated that the average operation times were 32.7 min (unilateral) and 58.6 min (bilateral). The mean length of the incision was 2.7 ± 0.3 cm, with a mean cosmetic score of 3.2 ± 0.7 at the time of discharge. All patients rapidly recovered consciousness postoperatively. The length of postoperative hospitalization (LOH) was 3.4 ± 1.4 days. There was no obvious surgical scarring on the chest wall, and no patients complained of postoperative pain at 6 months postoperatively. No recurrence or metastasis was found during the 1-year follow-up. Transareolar uniportal VATS for peripheral pulmonary nodules resulted in good cosmetic outcomes and high patient satisfaction. Transareolar uniportal VATS is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for male patients with small PPNs and especially produces good cosmetic outcomes.