title: Video-assisted thoracoscopic pneumonectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lung cancer often requires pneumonectomy. This procedure is challenging and usually performed by thoracotomy, which is traumatic and may involve complications. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is a recognized procedure that has been accepted by surgeons. There is no standard procedure to perform a pneumonectomy using VATS. The aim of this paper is to share our experiences and to show our technique for performing a pneumonectomy using VATS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 65-year-old man was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 56 mm × 45 mm × 40 mm lesion in the left upper lung lobe. Lesions involving the left lower lung lobe were also identified and the subcarinal and hilar lymph nodes were enlarged. A VATS pneumonectomy was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total surgery time was approximately 90 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL, the number of resected lymph nodes was 15; and the postoperative hospital stay was 8 days. Follow-up revealed no recurrence or metastasis for 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Video-assisted thoracoscopic pneumonectomy is a safe and effective treatment procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
authors.forename: Huan-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Du
keywords: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS); lung cancer; pneumonectomy