Extended thoracotomy for main pulmonary artery access: Two lung cancer cases

This report details two cases of right upper-lobe lung cancer, of patients aged 62 and 56 years, requiring complex bronchoplasty and thoracoscopic surgeries. In both cases, owing to intraoperative complications, extended thoracotomies were performed to gain access to the right main pulmonary artery. The postoperative courses were uneventful, implying that this approach was safe. Uncomplicated postoperative recoveries underscore the need for adaptable surgical techniques, especially when traditional positioning fails. It emphasizes extending thoracotomy incisions for safer hilar structure access, offering insights for handling similar complex surgeries where standard methods falter.