Thinking uniportal in pediatric thoracic surgery

In 2004, uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) technique was described limited to diagnostic procedures and pneumothorax treatment. Nowadays, the procedure widely extended in complex thoracic surgery in adults. However, the application of this technique in paediatric population is not widespread and reports in literature are limited. Classic approach of these paediatric diseases was open thoracotomy. Thoracic paediatric procedures varies from decortication for empyema and biopsy of intrathoracic lesions up to advanced procedures, such as repair of oesophageal atresia and resection of mediastinal masses. However, uniportal approach is not extended in paediatric surgery and there are only a few cases reported in literature with satisfactory outcomes. We present advantages and indications of uniportal VATS in children as well as a review of reported cases. We emphasize in the reproducibility and safety of single incision VATS in paediatric population in our clinical experience.