[Our experience in the surgical treatment of pleural mesothelioma]

Surgery is of decisive importance in two situations: diagnosis insofar as thoracotomy offers, with very little risk, the opportunity to perform sufficiently ample biopsy; therapeutic because, lacking any other indicated approach, palliative intervention is recommended to stop effusion. 18 decortications (i.e. 40%) and 2 pleuropneumonectomies are reported. Results were good.