Videothoracoscopic resection of pulmonary metastasis: A promising, minimally invasive procedure

The goal of resection in lung metastasis is to encompass all involved tissue and to preserve as much functioning lung parenchyma as possible. This is usually accomplished by wedge resection or segmental resection through open thoracotomy. However, complications related to open thoracotomy often exclude poor-risk patients, especially those with impaired pulmonary function. Technique of thoracoscopic resection is here reported for hepatocellular carcinoma of the lung without much interference with the ventilatory mechanics. The patient returned to preoperative level of activity three days after the procedure, and was discharged uneventfully on the fourth postoperative day.