Thoracoscopic Lobectomy

Increasingly, evidence suggests that thoracoscopic lobectomy can be performed with similar, if not reduced, morbidity and equivalent oncologic outcomes when compared with open lobectomy [1-5]. Despite the potential advantages of minimally invasive surgery, only 20% of pulmonary resections are currently completed in the United States using the thoracoscopic technique [6]. There are still several potential barriers to adoption of thoracoscopic lobectomy. The belief that pulmonary artery bleeding would be uncontrollable thoracoscopically is an obstacle that is likely to dissuade surgeons from considering learning thoracoscopic lobectomy. Most practicing thoracic surgeons in Asia, Europe and North America completed their training prior to the advent of thoracoscopic lobectomy, and post-graduate training is an extensive process. While it is probable that most training programs in Thoracic Surgery provide exposure to thoracoscopic lobectomy, it is unknown what the actual operative experience is for residents and fellows.