Methods: A total of 86 patients (59 males, 27 females; mean age 55.2±15.9; range 15 to 80 years) who underwent VATS lobectomy due to several reasons and were switched to thoracotomy at Süreyyapaşa Thoracic and Cardiovascular Diseases Education and Research Hospital between January 2006 and September 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Based on the preoperative assessment, the success rate of surgery significantly lower in male patients and those with previous history of tuberculosis who underwent VATS lobectomy and were switched to thoracotomy (p=0.006, p=0.033, respectively). Surgery was often able to be performed via three ports. The most frequently reported reasons for switching thoracotomy were adhesions and incomplete fissure. According to the localization of tumors, the success rate for VATS lobectomy was lower for the upper lobes. The drainage quantity and duration for surgery were more advantages in the middle and lower lobes.

Conclusion: We believe that our study results would offer some clues on the patient selection to incipient surgeons for this procedure.