Methodology and timing of standardization

In the last decade, uniportal VATS has increasingly been used for major lung resections as it has revolutionised the way thoracic surgeons treat pulmonary lesions. Uniportal VATS has represented an authentic innovation in thoracic surgery because it represents an ideal link between reduced morbidity and enhanced recovery. From the first feasibility studies, Uniportal VATS has been assessed in terms of postoperative morbidity, mortality, and overall oncologic value yielding similar outcomes compared to open thoracotomy or three-port VATS. The Uniportal VATS Interest Group (UVIG) is a working group inside the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) with a particular interest in Uniportal VATS as the preferred approach to intrathoracic conditions amenable to surgical diagnosis and treatment. The first aim of UVIG was to define a consensus statement on the indications and techniques of uniportal VATS. The first consensus paper among international experts in uniportal VATS lobectomy was obtained through a Delphi process through three rounds of voting to enhance its validity. The Delphi process was used to define the procedure and to optimise the indications, perioperative management and training of Uniportal VATS. The main features of this process inducing the anonymity of participants, the iterative process, and, controlled feedback were reported in the consensus statement.