Lobectomy under thoracoscopic guidance

: From September '92 to November '93, 15 lobectomies were performed under thoracoscopic guidance. After a thoracoport was inserted through the seventh intercostal space to conduct the operation utilizing a monitor, a six to ten cm incision was made in the fifth intercostal space. The pulmonary arteries and veins were divided after stapling with an Endo GIA or Roticulator 30-VIII. The lobar bronchus was stapled with a Roticulator 30-3.5, 30-4.8 or an Endo TA and affected lobes were resected. In cases of lung cancer, lymph node dissection has become possible as well due to the improvement of endoscopic instrumentation.