Thoracoscopic pulmonary resection in two cases using an endoscopic linear stapler and loop ligature.

Recent advances in rigid endoscopic imaging capabilities, light sources, and instrumentation have dramatically expanded the potential role of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery. Moreover, the recent introduction of an endoscopic linear stapling device and loop ligature has made thoracoscopic pulmonary resection possible. We present herein two cases of peripheral pulmonary lesions which were resected thoracoscopically. Case 1 was a 19-year-old man with a history of recurrent pneumothorax due to a left apical bulla who underwent thoracoscopic lung resection using a new stapling device, and Case 2 was a 46-year-old man with a small pulmonary lesion on the left basal segment (S8) who underwent thoracoscopic lung resection using loop ligature. Postoperatively, there was no evidence of air leak in either patient and both were discharged 6 days after surgery. The technical procedures for thoracoscopic lung resection and the clinical courses of both patients are described in this paper.