Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy for stage I lung cancer.

The literature shows that, in the hands of experienced thoracoscopic surgeons, VL is a safe operation that offers patients at least comparable complication and survival rates compared with lobectomy by thoracotomy. VL can be performed safely with proven advantages over conventional thoracotomy for lobectomy: smaller incisions, decreased postoperative pain, decreased LOS, decreased chest tube output and duration, decreased blood loss, better preservation of pulmonary function, and earlier return to normal activities. These results are obtained without sacrificing the oncologic principles of thoracic surgery, and, in fact, the evidence in the literature is mounting that VATS may offer reduced rates of complications and better survival.