Indication for VATS sublobar resections in early lung cancer.

ABSTRACT

When dealing with early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) sublobar resections still remain part of the surgical armamentarium. In selected patients with lung cancer, the combination of the potential benefits of parenchyma sparing procedures to the limited trauma provided by Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) techniques can become very appealing. Two main groups are included non-anatomical (wedges) and anatomical (segmentectomies) excisions. We describe the techniques, results and potential indications of both of these techniques.