Definition & Approach
- Minimally invasive thoracic surgery involves using small incisions and specialized instruments to perform operations on the lungs, esophagus, or other organs in the chest.
- A “uniportal” approach means a single small incision is used—often just a few centimeters long—rather than multiple incision sites.
Advantages
- Reduced Pain: Smaller incisions typically mean less pain and faster recovery.
- Shorter Hospital Stay: Patients often go home sooner than with traditional open surgery.
- Better Cosmetic Outcome: One small incision can result in less noticeable scarring.
Applications
- Lung resections (wedge resection, lobectomy)
- Biopsies for diagnostic purposes
- Management of pleural diseases (like pleural effusions or pneumothorax)
Why It Matters
- By minimizing trauma to the chest wall and surrounding tissues, patients can return to normal activities more quickly while maintaining excellent surgical outcomes.
