Objective        To investigate the perioperative clinical outcomes of lobectomy by single utility port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SP-VATS) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.       Methods       From March 2007 to December 2011

276 cases (including 163 males and 113 females

with an age ranging from 32 to 73

mean 54.1±16.6) with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer in Daping Hospital received thoracoscopic lobectomy via single utility port. In additional to an incision for thoracoscope

only one single utility port (an incision in a size ranging from 3.5 to 5 cm) was used for lobectomy and lymphonectomy. The clinical outcomes were evaluated including operative time

intra-operative blood loss

dissected lymph node number and postoperative complications.       Results       There was no peri-operative death in the cohort of patients. Seven cases were conversed to thoracotomy (2.5%) during SP-VATS. Operative time ranged from 68 to 159 (138.6±41.7) min and intraoperative blood loss from 10 to 305 (127.2±36.4) ml. The number of removed lymph nodes ranged from 9 to 35 per case (13.5±3.8). Postoperative complications included 6 cases with atelectasis

1 with prolonged air leakage (7 d) and 4 with arrhythmia. Postoperative chest drainage in initial 3 d ranged from 482 to 1 501 (705.8±137.9) ml. Most cases had no severe chest pain and paraesthesia.       Conclusion       SP-VATS lobectomy is mini-invasive and safe approach with few complications and complete lymphonectomy

especially for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.