Thoracoscopic extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma

Abstract

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.