25 Years of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Lobectomy in Early Stage Lung Cancer: A Review

Dominik Herrmann and Erich Hecker

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Herne, Germany

^*Correspondance to: Dominik Herrmann 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1611

Abstract

The development of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was a landmark in thoracic surgery. Introduction of VATS for lobectomy was in 1992. During the last 25 years, the minimal invasive surgery for lobectomy in early stage lung cancer evolved gradually and nowadays VATS is the gold standard of treatment options for curative approach. Despite the lack of evidence by large randomised trails, VATS is associated with a reduction of postoperative pain and a shorter duration of hospital stay. By the reduction of surgical trauma and better cosmetic results it got a high impact in patient’s satisfaction. Additionally oncological efficiency of minimal invasive surgery seems to be at least comparable to open technique. In recent years the minimal invasive technique was refined. Number of ports and the diameter of instruments were reduced. The latest developments in the field of VATS are arising of uniportal VATS and robotic assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Fewer traumas should improve intensity of postoperative pain and shorten duration of hospital stay. Based on a literature review the main objective of this article is to discuss the superiority of minimal invasive surgery compared to thoracotomy and whether new developments of VATS result in benefits in short-term outcome or long-term results.

Keywords

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; Lobectomy; Lung cancer

Cite the article

Herrmann D, Hecker E. 25 Years of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Lobectomy in Early Stage Lung Cancer: A Review. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1611.