Transsternal thoracotomy for bilateral pulmonary metastasis

Advances in the surgical treatment of primary malignancies and the recent chemotherapy have led to an expansion of the surgical treatment of metastatic lung tumors. However, multiple pulmonary metastases are often found and may affect both lungs. It is difficult to reach tumors in the posterior parts of the lung when using a common midsternal approach, especially lesions located in the left lower lobe. We performed transsternal simultaneous bilateral thoracotomy on 10 patients with bilateral lung tumors (9 bilateral metastatic pulmonary tumors and 1 bilateral primary lung cancer). This procedure provides a wide operative field and is an effective method of thoracotomy for patients with bilateral lung tumors. In future, this method should be more actively performed for patients in whom it is indicated.