Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical effects of single-incision and multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy, and illustrate the significance and value of single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy in clinical application.Methods A total of 298 patients with thoracoscopic lobectomy were selected from January 2013 to December 2015 and divided into single-incision (n=148) and multiple-incision (n=150) thoracoscopic lobectomy groups according to the operation methods they received.The operative effects between the two groups were compared.Results The amount of blood loss, dosage of hydrochloric acid, and length of hospital stay of the single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy group were significantly less than those of the multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy group (P<0.01). There were no differences in operation time, number of lymph node removed, and complication rate between the two groups (P>0.05). The VAS scores on the 3rd and 7th days of the single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy group were all significantly lower than those of the multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy group at the same time points (P<0.01). No statistical differences in the indicators related to quality of life were found between the two groups before operation (P>0.05). The function, emotion, and total scores of the single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy group were significantly higher than those of the multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy group after 3 months of operation (P<0.01).Conclusion Compared with multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy, single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy can effectively reduce surgical trauma, promote postoperative recovery, and improve the short-term quality of life of patients.

Key words: Lobectomy, Single hole, Multiple hole, Thoracoscopy