Uniportal Single-Direction Thoracoscopic Right S9 Segmentectomy: Trans-Inferior-Pulmonary-Ligament Approach.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We previously described a three-port single-direction thoracoscopic segmentectomy for the right S9, which is the most challenging anatomic segmentectomy. However, uniportal thoracoscopic surgery has been widely accepted for the therapy of early stage non-small cell lung cancer in the past decade. METHODS: In this multimedia article, we describe a uniportal thoracoscopic right S9 segmentectomy through an inferior pulmonary ligament approach following a single-direction strategy and using the stem-branch method for segmental structure tracking. RESULTS: The operation went successfully and the patient recovered smoothly. CONCLUSIONS: By taking advantage of the stem-branch method, trans-inferior-pulmonary-ligament approach, and single-direction strategy, the uniportal thoracoscopic S9 segmentectomy can be performed successfully through optimization of some technical details.