Minimally invasive surgical techniques in the treatment of lung cancer.

Overview

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite recent advances in molecular characterization, targeted and adjuvant therapies of NSCLC, surgical resection remains the mainstay of curative treatment. Minimally invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) techniques, in particular VATS lobectomy, are being increasingly utilized over traditional thoracotomy approaches in the treatment of localized NSCLC for the reported benefits with respect to postoperative recovery and the conviction of oncologic equivalence. This article will review the major VATS procedures, including their development, outcomes, and purported advantages over thoracotomy, as well as highlight new advances, such as robotic-assisted procedures.