OBJECTIVETo evaluate technique aspects of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for benign diseases.

METHODSRetrospective review of 24 patients with benign pulmonary disease underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy from September 2006 to September 2008. One patient had bilateral bronchiectasis received concurrent bilateral lobectomy. The patients included 11 males and 13 females with mean age of 49.0 years. Fifteen cases were diagnosed as benign diseases preoperatively consisted 10 bronchiectasis as the primary indication. The other 9 cases were pulmonary nodules pathologic diagnosed intra-operatively. Inflammation changes including dense plural adhesions, pulmonary artery adhesions and calcified lymph nodes were managed endoscopically.

RESULTSAll 25 thoracoscopic procedures were completely with no conversion to thoracotomy. The mean operation time was (163 +/- 52) min, blood loss was (163 +/- 130) ml. There was no hospital death or major morbidity. Postoperative drainage was (5.8 +/- 2.8) d. No long-term complications were noticed during a mean follow-up of 7.3 months.

CONCLUSIONChronic inflammation induced adhesions is the key limiting factor for thoracoscopic lobectomy for benign diseases.