Minimally Invasive Pneumonectomy

Technical advances have resulted in the growing popularity and success of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer. Several investigators have used similar techniques to safely perform pneumonectomies. Minimally invasive pneumonectomy may be indicated for patients who have centrally located malignant lesions and who are not candidates for sleeve resections. Adequate exposure of the proximal hilar vessels is mandatory. Short-term results are encouraging, but prospective long-term data are essential.