OBJECTIVE: Because the standard thoracoscopic lobectomy in bronchial carcinoma is often criticized for assumed incomplete lymph-node dissection and oncologic radicality, thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy (TL) was investigated as one step of a scientific investigation for developing a method of complete thoracoscopic resection of bronchial carcinoma. DESIGN: A cadaver model (n = 13) was used to investigate the technique of thoracoscopic radical hilar lobectomy and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. INTERVENTION: TL followed by a large anterolateral exploratory thoracotomy to evaluate the safety and radicality of TL. RESULTS: The mean (and standard deviation) number of lymph nodes resected was 15.6 (4.3). On follow-up exploration, no residual tissue was found at the hilar stump or residual lymph nodes. No other intrathoracic lesions were found. CONCLUSIONS: TL with radical hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy by the described tehcnique can be accomplished according to current oncologic regulations.
OBJECTIVE: Because the standard thoracoscopic lobectomy in bronchial carcinoma is often criticized for assumed incomplete lymph-node dissection and oncologic radicality, thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy (TL) was investigated as one step of a scientific investigation for developing a method of complete thoracoscopic resection of bronchial carcinoma. DESIGN: A cadaver model (n = 13) was used to investigate the technique of thoracoscopic radical hilar lobectomy and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. INTERVENTION: TL followed by a large anterolateral exploratory thoracotomy to evaluate the safety and radicality of TL. RESULTS: The mean (and standard deviation) number of lymph nodes resected was 15.6 (4.3). On follow-up exploration, no residual tissue was found at the hilar stump or residual lymph nodes. No other intrathoracic lesions were found. CONCLUSIONS: TL with radical hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy by the described tehcnique can be accomplished according to current oncologic regulations.