In 2024, many VATS authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.

Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.

Outstanding Authors (2024)

Katsuma Yoshimatsu, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

Padungkiat Tangpiroontham, Bangkok Hospital, Thailand

Jun Suzuki, Yamagata University, Japan

Outstanding Author

Katsuma Yoshimatsu

Katsuma Yoshimatsu currently serves as an Assistant Professor of the Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan. His expertise lies in surgical interventions and pharmacotherapy for a wide range of thoracic diseases, including lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma. With a focus on improving patient outcomes, he is dedicated to advancing the treatment options available for thoracic conditions. He focuses on extended surgery for advanced cancer and minimally invasive surgery for early-stage cancer and has recently become particularly interested in how to approach small pulmonary nodules.

From Dr. Yoshimatsu’s perspective, the necessary elements for a good academic paper are to state new findings with evidence and to disseminate them with consideration of their clinical implications. In his opinion, it is very important to follow reporting guidelines, too. He believes it allows authors to prepare papers in a proper and orderly manner. It also ensures that papers are submitted with a certain level of quality, which he believes will lead to the development of medical practice in the future.

“The significance of writing papers lies in its ability to disseminate new knowledge, spark critical thinking, and drive progress in various fields. I intend to devote my time and effort to writing my dissertation with the aim of contributing to the advancement of medical science,” says Dr. Yoshimatsu.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Padungkiat Tangpiroontham

Padungkiat Tangpiroontham, MD, is the chief of the Lung and Thoracic Cancer Center at Bangkok Hospital, Thailand, and serves as an adjunct instructor at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. He completed a two-year clinical fellowship in thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, specializing in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including uniportal VATS and robotic surgery. Additionally, he is part of the largest trauma network in Southeast Asia within the BDMS group. His research primarily focuses on minimally invasive surgery, lung nodule localization, primary lung cancer, inflammatory lung disease, lung metastasis, and the surgical stabilization of rib fractures. He collaborates closely with the South East Asian Thoracic Society (SEATS), proctoring uniportal VATS and RATS both locally and regionally. Connect with Dr. Tangpiroontham on Facebook.

According to Dr. Tangpiroontham, time management presents the greatest challenge in academic writing. Crafting a paper necessitates extended, uninterrupted periods to develop and articulate complex thoughts. Early in one’s career, when more time is available, it is easier to establish a writing routine. In his view, developing this habit early allows individuals to enjoy the process of writing papers throughout the career.

Academic writing often involves evidence synthesis. Seeing the tremendous amount of evidence available today, Dr. Tangpiroontham prioritizes using the most reliable sources, such as systematic reviews or randomized trials. However, for rare conditions in which such evidence may not be available, he turns to retrospective analyses or case series published in high-level journals, given their rigorous peer-review process.

In addition, Dr. Tangpiroontham emphasizes that disclosing conflicts of interest (COI) is crucial not only in research but also when delivering lectures. COI can influence research in various ways, including selection bias, researcher bias, and information bias. By disclosing COI, readers are better equipped to understand these potential biases and interpret the research more accurately.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Jun Suzuki

Dr. Jun Suzuki currently serves at the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery 2, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Japan. His research areas include minimally invasive surgery, uniportal VATS, reduced port RATS, pulmonary segmentectomy, and diagnostic imaging. He is conducting ongoing studies in minimally invasive surgery, especially uniportal VATS, reduced port RATS, and diagnostic imaging for preoperative simulation and presence or absence of pleural adhesion. 

VATS: What are the essential elements of a good academic paper?

Dr. Suzuki: As a thoracic surgeon, while large clinical trials and multi-center studies are important, it’s equally important to recognize the significance of well-conducted research at a single institution, including case reports. Each case, no matter how singular, can provide valuable insights and contribute to our collective understanding, especially in rare or complex scenarios. Carefully documenting and analyzing individual cases ensure that unique clinical experiences and outcomes are shared with the broader medical community, potentially guiding future research and improving patient care. Every case, no matter how small, is an opportunity to advance our field.

VATS: What authors have to bear in mind during preparation of a paper?

Dr. Suzuki: Thoracic surgeons should prioritize clear clinical objectives, use study designs that impact patient care, and maintain rigorous data analysis. The paper should be concise, with a focus on practical surgical implications, and relate findings to existing clinical literature. Whether it’s a large study or a case report, each contribution should be valued for its potential to improve thoracic surgery outcomes.

VATS: Why do you choose to publish in VATS?

Dr. Suzuki: VATS is the only journal that we, as thoracic surgeons, can rely on to pursue new insights into minimally invasive surgery, particularly thoracoscopic surgery, which we consider to be of utmost importance in our daily practice. By submitting this paper (link), we hope to contribute to the ongoing improvement and refinement of our clinical practice.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)