Thoracoscopic assisted lobectomy.

The advances in endoscopic capabilities expanded the potential role of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery. The introduction of safe linear stapling devices made thoracoscopic assisted segmental lung resections possible. Because of the postoperative advantages of a thoracoscopic operation, a technique for thoracoscopic lobectomies was developed. Three case reports are presented using the same technique. The first two cases report a right lower lobectomy and the third case a bilobectomy, right middle and lower lobe.