The patient is placed in the lateral decubitus position on a bean bag (per surgeon preference) and secured to the table. Patient identification marking should be clearly visible.
Arms secured to pillows or armboards.
Lower extremity sequential compression device.
- Traditional disposable ports not required. One 5mm reusable metal port used for the scope.
- A 2cm paracostal incision is made in the interspace above the diaphragm and below the breast.
- A 5mm incision is made in the midaxillary line at the 8th intercostal space (ICS).
- All lobectomies start with these 2 incisions.
- A 4cm accessory incision is made in the anterior axillary line at the 4th ICS (for upper lobectomies) or 5th ICS (for middle or lower lobectomies).
- The surgeon is positioned towards the patient’s front with the assistant towards the patient’s back.
- 2 monitors are placed near the head of the bed at 45-degree angles to the surgical table.