This video clip demonstrated a performance of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery combined segmentectomy. The patient had a potential invasive nodule located near the bifurcation of right bronchus, 3-dimensional reconstruction image showed the fissure between posterior segment of upper lobe and superior segment of lower lobe was incomplete. An up-to-down approach was applied in this operation with the en bloc resection of the two segments. Pathological report was adenocarcinoma with negative margin (TNM stage: T1aN0M0).
Operative techniquesAfter being anesthetized with double-lumen endotracheal intubation, the patient was positioned in left lateral decubitus position. The uniportal incision located in the 5th intercostal space, anterior to latissimus dorsi and posterior to pectoralis major. We used a lap-protector to avoid contamination. In order to get a stable vision, we usually use a suture to fix the camera on one side of the incision (Figure 3). Both the operator and the camera holder stand on the ventral side. In this video, the procedures were as followed ( Figure 4): (I) Exploration: no pleural adhesions, pleural indentation, pleural effusion and pleural nodules were found; the dorsal half part of oblique fissure was incomplete; (II) At the middle of oblique fissure, the fissure was divided by using electrocautery to identify ascending artery of S2 (Asc. A2) and its proximate vein of S2 [V2(a+b)]; (III) Pulling the upper lobe caudally to expose and divide mediastinal pleura. After dissection of the level 10 lymph nodes, the artery and its branches of upper lobe were well exposed. The recurrent artery of S2 (Rec. A2) was carefully identified and cut off by a staple; (IV) The bronchus of S2 (B2) was well exposed by separation of all the adjacent tissues. After verifying the bronchus of apical segment (B1), B2 was cut off by a staple; (V) Beneath the B2 stump, the Asc. A2 was revealed integrally and cut off subsequently. We could