We know that most lung nodules are benign, but a small number may turn out to be suspicious or even malignant. In these cases, doctors often recommend surgery to remove them.

So what’s the best type of surgery for a lung nodule? It depends on the nodule itself—its size, shape, and location—as well as your overall health. Nowadays, the preferred approach is minimally invasive surgery, most commonly video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Among these techniques, single-port VATS (also called single-incision thoracoscopic surgery) offers a newer and more refined option.

What is single-port thoracoscopic surgery?

Let’s begin with the traditional method: multi-port surgery. This technique uses several small incisions, or “ports”—usually three or more—on the chest wall to perform the operation.

But in minimally invasive surgery, less is often more. Single-port VATS represents a step forward from the multi-port approach. As the name suggests, this method requires just one small incision through which surgeons perform the entire procedure.

What are the advantages of single-port surgery?

Single-port surgery offers several important benefits compared to multi-port approaches.

First, it’s even less invasive—using only one small incision instead of several. This approach significantly reduces trauma to the chest wall, muscles, and nerves.

Patients also typically experience less pain after surgery. In traditional multi-port VATS, the camera and auxiliary instrument ports cause most of the postoperative discomfort. The single-port technique eliminates these, leading to less soreness and fewer sharp pains during movement or coughing.

Another key advantage is faster recovery. With fewer incisions to heal, many patients can leave the hospital sooner and return more quickly to normal activities like walking, light chores, or even part-time work.

Finally, surgeons usually place the single incision in a discreet location on the side of the chest, making the scar easier to conceal under everyday clothing.

Is single-port surgery effective?

You might wonder: “Can doctors really operate safely through just one small opening?”

Yes. Clinical studies and real-world experience show that single-port VATS works safely and effectively—not only for removing the nodule itself but also for performing lymph node dissection (a procedure that checks whether cancer has spread). Most importantly, it delivers outcomes equal to those of multi-port surgery. Doctors now widely use this technique for lung nodule patients who meet the criteria. With single-port VATS, you don’t have to choose between fewer incisions and good results—you can have both.