[Trendelenburg's operation using an sternostomy approach for pulmonary embolectomy]

Five cases of extremely serious pulmonary embolism treated by embolectomy without extracorporeal circulation have prompted to recall the Trendelenburg's operation through sternotomy. Rapid, simple and requiring little equipment, this technique is perfectly suited to emergency surgery. Its use should save the lives of several patients who would be condemned to death without surgical operation.