Novel Techniques and Approaches to Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery

Approximately two decades ago, thoracic surgery witnessed the leap from thoracotomy to the first video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. Minimally invasive lobectomy and hilar lymphadenectomy is now widely established as a safe and oncological sound technique that is the standard of care for early-stage lung cancer. The move toward less invasive surgery has no doubt driven the innovation of sophisticated instruments and technology to cope with the demanding need of working through a restricted incision. We will discuss the use of minimally invasive thoracic surgery techniques for sympathectomy, cardiac arrhythmia, and first rib resection, as well as traditional lung resections (e.g., pneumonectomy, lobectomy, and segmentectomy). We will also discuss thoracic incisions and approaches using VATS, single port VATS, and robot-assisted thoracic surgery.