Minimally invasive surgery for coronary artery disease with associated lung cancer

Simultaneous surgical management of patients with co-existing ischemic heart disease and lung carcinoma remains controversial. Traditionally, these operations have been staged, with coronary artery revascularization first, followed by pulmonary resection at a later date. Under this procedure, tumor resection is delayed, and these staged procedures may increase morbidity and cost. Our experience with minimally invasive surgery in the cardiac and thoracic fields suggests that both diseases can be resolved within the same operation. This report presents a 65-year-old man with coronary artery disease (CAD), and left lung cancer. He received concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting for CAD and pulmonary resection for lung cancer via a left parasternal minithoracotomy. No complaints or clinical signs were observed during a 6 month follow-up. Therefore, major cardiac and thoracic procedures that are performed via a minimally invasive approach using conventional instruments, can result in a safer, quicker, and more economical procedure. The results of the a minimally invasive approach demonstrated the technical feasibility of treating a triple vessel cardiac disease with lung cancer.