Extrapleural resection of lung metastasis in a patient with dense pleural adhesions using VATS

Thoracoscopic extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is the most common primary pleural malignancy. Surgical therapy offers limited cure benefits at the cost of high morbidity. Although technically challenging and performed rarely, a less invasive approach to extrapleural pneumonectomy was developed with the intent to speed convalescence, hasten adjuvant therapies, improve quality of life, and reduce wound surface area for possible tumor contamination.

Extrapleural thoracoscopic excision of a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst in a patient with dense pleural adhesions

We report the case of a 70-year-old man with dense pleural adhesions who underwent an excision of a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) through an extrapleural approach. The VATS approach for the diagnostic and therapeutic excision of a mediastinal tumor is easier and safer than an intrapleural approach if a patient has dense pleural adhesions.