This study summed up an initial experience of a single utility video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy.

A total of 71 [male 33, female 38; mean age (55.5 ± 6.9 )years old, range 38-72], who underwent major pulmonary resection (segmentectomy, lobectomy, sleeve lobectomy) through a consecutive VATS using a single utility from Dec. 2009 to May 2015, were included in this study. Lobectomy was performed in most patients (n=38), and sleeve lobectomy was performed in 1 patient, and segmentectomy in 2 patients.

The mean time of the operation, in 71 patients who were completed by two-incisions VATS lobectomy, was [(162.9 ± 56.8)minutes (range, 108-320) minutes]. The utility incision length was [(3.2 ± 0.8)cm (range, 2.5-6.0)cm]. The total number of dissected lymph nodes per patient was [(13.4±4.6)range, 8-21 range]. Conversion to thoracotomy was performed in 2 patients (2.8%) due to bleeding at pulmonary arterial branch. The chest tube was removed on postoperative day [(3.8 ± 3.1)range, 3-19 range], and the mean time of hospitalization was [(9.8 ± 5.6)days, range 7-35 days]. There was no occurrence of major perioperative morbidity and mortality.

In the hands of experienced VATS surgeons, it is safe and feasible to perform VATS lobectomy with a single utility.