Cardiophrenic Lymph Node Resection Through Abdominal Subxiphoid Approach: Surgical Technique

While metastatic extension to the cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPN) is relatively rare, cardiophrenic lymphadenectomy may be performed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The subxiphoid approach is appropriate, especially for CPN in the prepericardiac area, offering adequate exposure while avoiding the morbidity associated with pleural or pericardial breach. In this article, we describe the surgical technique-detailing the retrosternal liberation section of the tranversus abdominis muscle, followed by cardiophrenic dissection and lymphadenectomy.