Radical thoracoscopic lobectomy with lymphadenectomy in a cadaver model.
OBJECTIVE
Because the standard thoracoscopic lobectomy in bronchial carcinoma is often criticized for assumed incomplete lymph-node dissection and oncologic radicality, thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy (TL) was investigated as one step of a scientific investigation for developing a method of complete thoracoscopic resection of bronchial carcinoma.


METHODS
A cadaver model (n = 13) was used to investigate the technique of thoracoscopic radical hilar lobectomy and mediastinal lymphadenectomy.


METHODS
TL followed by a large anterolateral exploratory thoracotomy to evaluate the safety and radicality of TL.


RESULTS
The mean (and standard deviation) number of lymph nodes resected was 15.6 (4.3). On follow-up exploration, no residual tissue was found at the hilar stump or residual lymph nodes. No other intrathoracic lesions were found.


CONCLUSIONS
TL with radical hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy by the described tehcnique can be accomplished according to current oncologic regulations.
Hoksch
Beatrix
B
Department of Surgery, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany. hoksch@t-online.de
Ablassmaler
Bernhard
B
Walter
Michael
M
Müller
Joachim M
JM
D002102:Cadaver; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013909:Thorax