The Geometric and Ergonomic Appeal of Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Abstract

The geometric characteristics of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) are known: one small incision without further dissection of the intercostal space with the simultaneous introduction of instruments to the thoracoscope through an ideal circular truncated cone, as wide as a surgeon's fingerbreadth. The perspective of the uniportal VATS approach realizes projective planes that preserves the depth of intraoperative visualization. The instruments, moving along this planes, enable the surgeon to bring the operative fulcrum inside the chest. Also, the uniportal VATS approach generate an ergonomic advantage during surgery.

Keywords: Ergonomics; Geometry; Lung cancer; Minimally invasive thoracic surgery; Uniportal VATS; Video-assisted thoracic surgery.