Abstract
Endostaplers are widely used in pulmonary lobectomy procedures performed through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Using them to approach fused pulmonary fissures during VATS lobectomy procedures is safer and quicker than manual techniques. However, the direction of endostaplers is sometimes limited by the location of the working ports, which may result in difficulties in positioning the endostaplers or even traction or laceration of peripheral lung tissue. We describe here a useful surgical technique that uses a Penrose drain tube as a guide for the endostapler, making its use to divide fused pulmonary fissures during VATS lobectomy easier and safer.
Key words
Lung cancer surgery - thoracoscopy/VATS - surgical instruments
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1 The first and second authors contributed equally to the manuscript.
Prof. Yung-Chie Lee, MD, PhD, Director
Department of Surgery
National Taiwan University Hospital and
National Taiwan University College of Medicine
No 7, Chung-Shan South Road
10002 Taipei
Taiwan, Province of China
Phone: + 88 62 23 12 34 56 ext. 6 50 70
Fax: + 88 62 33 93 39 89
Email: yclee@ntuh.gov.tw
