Innovative techniques for thoracoscopic lobectomy in postpneumonectomy patients

摘要

It is extremely difficult to perform a thoracoscopic lo-bectomy for non-small cell lung cancer in postpneumo-nectomy patients because lung collapse as classically practiced is not an option. Collapse of the lobe to be resected and effective retraction of the other inflated lobes allow surgeons to perform thoracoscopic procedures in such patients. This report presents several innovations regarding thoracoscopic middle lobectomy in patients with a favorable pulmonary function who previously underwent left pneumonectomy.