[Video-assisted lobectomy for primary lung cancer].

We had performed video-assisted lobectomy for six primary lung cancer cases. This report is presented our method of video-assisted lobectomy with a typical case. This case had a complain of positive sputum cytology at the regular examination. His chest rentogenogram was almost normal and the bronchoscopic appearance was revealed polypoid lesion at left B 3 orifice. His sputum cytology examined 3 years ago was positive. At that time we could not find the malignant site at the left B 3 orifice. So further examination was performed, but we did not find other metastatic site and mediastinal nodes involvement by chest computed tomography. Left upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection was performed by video-assisted thoracotomy with small lateral incision of about 8 centimeters on the fifth intercostal space and other two thoracotomy ports. This operation method was followed as same fashion as the standard lobectomy with double knotted pulmonary vein and artery without the usage of the automatic anastomotic device. His postoperative pathological study was revealed intramural bronchial cancer at B 3 orifice without node involvement. His postoperative course was uneventful. He had discharged at 18 postoperative day.