Table 1. Tackling problems in single-port VATS: tips and tricks.

Problem	Solution
Damage to light fiber of conventional thoracoscopy	Use of optic with coaxial light fiber
Clashing of telescope with instruments	Use of 30° or 45° thoracoscope/use of deflectable tip telescope
Loss of triangulation	Use of articulating/prebent instruments/curved adapted instruments with proximal and distal articulation
Clashing of trocar within the chest cavity and outside	Retraction of trocar along the stem of thoracoscope or of other instruments
Clashing of camera head with instruments	Use of optic with chip on tip, use of long telescope, make assistant sit, hands in a different plane changing its position
Lack of exposure	Tilt table posteriorly to view hilum; anteriorly for lymph node dissection; “puppetry” traction of target area by endograsp
Difficulty in movements of instruments	Slightly larger incision like that of 25 mm instead of 15 mm improves movement ensuring a sufficient distance between the port site and the target area

VATS, video-assisted thoracic surgery.