title: A median sternotomy approach to right extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma.
abstract: Although pulmonary resections have been performed through median sternotomy, this approach for extrapleural pneumonectomy in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma has not been described. We assessed the feasibility of a median sternotomy approach as an alternative to thoracotomy in right-sided resections. Over a 15-month period, this approach was attempted in 10 cases. In 7 of them, the entire procedure was completed without additional thoracotomy access. There were no postoperative deaths in this group. At median follow-up of 8 months, we have not encountered tumor progression in the scars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Antonio E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Martin-Ucar
authors.forename: Duncan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Waller
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome