Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer surgery highlights uniportal VATS, a minimally invasive technique that can reduce chest wall trauma and support recovery after lung lobectomy: Doctor explains

Advances in thoracic surgery and recovery after major chest operations have recently been in highlight since the news of Pope Leo XIV being operated for lung cancer and his subsequent discharge from hospital. According to reports, the 71-year-old pontiff underwent Right Lung lower lobectomy surgery on October 13, by Uniportal VATS technique. Intra-operative testing showed adenocarcinoma, a right lower lobectomy was performed to ensure radical resection. He was discharged on October 17.His clinical course provides an opportunity to educate ourselves with a minimally invasive surgical technique known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), performed through a single hole, known as uniportal VATS, as well as the whole process and achieving complete recovery.What is uniportal VATS?First of all Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach used for surgery on lung and chest conditions, conventionally its done by three to four small holes made in the chest wall.