Fig. 1

Uniportal video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. A single incision of approximately 4.0 cm is made in the 4th or 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. a A specially-designed wound protector is inserted, forming two channels, one for the thoracoscope and the other for the surgical instruments. b Left pneumonectomy. c A U-shaped suture is placed around the chest tube in order to close the incision immediately after removal of the tube. d One month after right upper lobectomy