En bloc stapled diaphragmatic resection for local invasion during hepatectomy: a simple technique without opening the pleural cavity.

Diaphragmatic invasion is not uncommon in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver tumors. Where there are limited attachments of the diaphragm to the tumor, the authors describe a stapled technique for en bloc resection of the diaphragm without opening the chest cavity, thus performing an oncologic resection, while avoiding the need for pleural drainage.