Non-intubated uniportal thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy: do excellent results mean it is worth doing?

Abstract Background Uniportal thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy is being increasingly performed as a less invasive option than equivalent procedures carried out through thoracotomy. The addition of non-intubated anesthesia with maintenance of spontaneous ventilation is reported as a further step ahead within advanced minimally invasive thoracic surgery options. Main text. In this editorial commentary, the recently published paper titled “Surgical technique and outcome analysis of nonintubated uniportal VATS sleeve lobectomy: A cohort study”, by Drs Qu and Jiang is discussed in detail. Conclusion We don’t know yet if excellent results do mean that it is worth doing non-intubated uniportal thoracoscopic sleeve resection. Rather, further investigation is warranted to confirm general applicability.