Table 1. Incremental steps of a VATS right upper lobectomy (RUL).

(I) Correct placement of the access incision, thoracoscope and additional ports;

(I) Inspection and retraction of lung;

(I) Dissection of 7, 4R, 2R and 10R nodal stations;

(II) Incision of posterior mediastinal pleura to expose the right mainstem and upper lobe bronchi;

(III) Dissection of the sump node at the junction of the RUL bronchus and proximal bronchus intermedius;

(IV) Incision of the anterior mediastinal pleura and isolation and division of the superior pulmonary vein;

(V) Isolation and division of the truncus anterior and posterior ascending pulmonary arteries;

(VI) Removal of peribronchial nodal tissue followed by isolation and division of the RUL bronchus;

(VII) Division of the lung parenchyma;

(VIII) Placement of the RUL specimen into an endocatch bag followed by removal from the pleural cavity;

(IX) Apposition of the RML to the RLL to prevent a RML torsion syndrome (if indicated).