Modified procedure of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy with muscle sparing incision

Background: To describe modified procedure for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) lobectomy with a small, total muscle-sparing incision.

Methods: Forty-eight UVATS leucotomy were attempted and successfully completed. A single incision of approximately 3 cm was made in an intercostal space along the anterior axillary line. Muscle-sparing technique was applied with this single-incision approach using muscle sparing technique.

Results: Incision size was kept to a minimum, with a median of 3 cm. Mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed in all patients with malignancy. Overall median operative time was 1.3 hours. Median hospitalization was 13.5 days (range, 6-21 days). Morbidity rate was low at 3%. There were no other postoperative complications, mortality, or re-admissions.

Conclusions: Modified procedure of lobectomy with UVATS might be easy to operate with less surgical time and morbidity rate, muscle sparing technique might reduce post-operation pain.