Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using a three-dimensional thoracoscopic system as an educational tool for surgical trainees in general thoracic surgery

Objective The clinical practice of safe and efficient surgery and professional development of general thoracic surgical trainee are both important issues for mentors. We investigated the usefulness of a three-dimensional (3D) endoscopic system application for lung cancer treatment as a tool for training surgical trainees. Methods Supervised by mentors, general thoracic surgical trainees were trained with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for primary lung cancer using a 3D endoscopic system to enable them to become operators. Video clinics using 3D images were held weekly. The group using 3D endoscopic system (66 cases in the 3D-VATS group) was compared with the group using conventional two-dimensional (2D) thoracoscopic system (35 cases in the 2D-VATS group) to perform VATS lobectomies. Results There was no significant difference in operative time between both groups. However, the 3D-VATS group comprised significantly less experience than the 2D-VATS group. The intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced for the 3D group (34 mL in the 3D-VATS group vs. 76 mL in the 2D-VATS group, P = 0.0007). There were no cases of conversion from VATS to open thoracotomy and intraoperative transfusion in either group. Conclusion 3D-VATS and video clinics using 3D videos are useful training tools for general thoracic surgical trainees with little experience in open thoracotomy.