Inframammary transverse thoracosternotomy for bilateral lung tumors

Abstract

Midsternotomy has been used for bilateral lung tumors in most institutions. With this procedure, however, it is often difficult to approach lesions in the postero-lateral area of the lung, especially those in the left lower lobe.
Inframammary transverse thoracosternotomy was performed in our institution in 10 patients with bilateral lung tumors : 9 metastatic lung tumors and one bilateral lung cancer. This procedure provides excellent exposure of the entire thoracic space, including the left lower lobe. Although postthoracotomy pain is comparatively severse in the early postoperative period, this procedure can be an alternative approach to bilateral lung tumors.