Innovations in Uniportal Lung Resection

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery, especially video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS), has significantly transformed lung resection approaches. Recently, there has been a shift towards even less invasive options like reduced port surgery (RPS), with techniques such as uniportal VATS (u-VATS) and uniportal RATS (u-RATS) gaining traction. Initial studies suggest promising outcomes, though comprehensive data comparing RPS to traditional multiportal VATS concerning outcomes, the learning curve, and patient satisfaction remain scarce. This ongoing shift heightens the necessity for more in-depth investigation and evaluation of these advanced methods.

This Research Topic aims to uncover the overall benefits of modern RPS techniques and position them alongside established minimally invasive thoracic surgery methods. The primary focus is to analyze the advantages of RPS, address current knowledge gaps, and facilitate a rigorous comparison with conventional multiportal techniques. Objectives include evaluating short- and long-term outcomes, dissecting the learning curve, and understanding patient perspectives. Additionally, research papers exploring theoretical hypotheses and innovative strategies that could propel RPS to become a standard surgical approach are welcomed.

To gather further insights into the current status and evolution of RPS in thoracic surgery, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Technical challenges and limitations in RPS
- Comparative outcome analysis with multiportal VATS
- Innovations propelling future RPS in robotics and instrumentation
- Educational needs and training methodologies for RPS
- Oncological efficacy and safety assessments
- Global accessibility considerations and economic evaluations

We welcome high-quality research papers focusing on these pivotal themes surrounding RPS.