Editorial on “Trans-inferior-pulmonary-ligament VATS basal segmentectomy: application of single-direction strategy in segmentectomy of left S9+10”

In 1995, the Lung Cancer Study Group Trial revealed an increased risk for local recurrence and a reduced 5-year mortality rate after limited resection compared to lobectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (1). Since then, segmentectomy has always been on trail. Although the conclusiveness of this study was limited by including a significant number of non-anatomic wedge-resections and tumours up to 3 cm, in the guidelines segmentectomy continuous to be regarded only as a compromise solution for patients with reduced respiratory reserve.