An extended modification of transmanubrial osteomuscular sparing approach: salvage resection for recurrent superior sulcus lung cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy.

This brief report accompanying a short video presents an extended modification of the transmanubrial osteomuscular sparing approach (TMA).

Among surgical procedures for anterior-ventral thorax to superior sulcus lung malignancies, classic anterior approach described by Masaoka et al. in 1979 (1), anterior transcervical-thoracic approach reported by Dartevelle et al. in 1993 (2), and TMA reported by Grunenwald and Spaggiari in 1997 (3) are famous. An alternative procedure combining the Dartevelle’s method with original TMA has also been reported (4). Based on the extension of the disease, a combination of two approaches may also be considered; conventional two-step strategy, involving an original TMA followed by a lateral decubitus position, would be a common practice. When the lesion is small, it is possible to resect it using only a single approach with a slight modification. In original TMA, the transverse section of the sternum is on the level of the first intercostal space and the sternoclavicular joint is preserved. The modification presented herein consists of a lowering of the transverse section of the sternum caudally to the level of the second intercostal space ().

Figure 1

Schema of the incision of the bony thorax. (A) Original procedure of the transmanubrial osteomuscular sparing approach; (B) the modification presented herein. Arrows indicate the direction of the retraction of the clavicle and manubrium; (C) the reverse C-shaped skin incision.

We demonstrate the procedure using a salvage resection case with recurrent superior sulcus lung cancer (). The patient was a 58-year-old man who received definitive chemoradiotherapy for a clinical T4N3M0, stage IIIC right superior sulcus lung adenocarcinoma infiltrating the brachial plexus. The lesion was definitively treated with cisplatin and vinorelbine chemotherapy, as well as radiotherapy at 60 Gy. After 3 years, a recurrent tumor was detected on the dorsal side of the right subclavian artery on the right side of the first and second thoracic vertebrae. The lesion was diagnosed as recurrent lung cancer by needle biopsy. There were no driver gene mutations or PDL1 expression detected. Since there were no distant metastases or mediastinal lymph node metastases detected and no other nonsurgical treatment was considered effective, salvage resection was planned.

Video 1

A salvage resection using the modified transmanubrial osteomuscular sparing approach for recurrent superior sulcus lung cancer following definitive chemoradiotherapy, wherein the transverse section of the sternum was caudally lowered on the level of the second intercostal space (duration: 7 min 30 s).

The procedure performed is summarized as follows. With the patient in the supine position, a reverse C-shaped incision was made on the cranial side of the right anterior chest. The right superior end of the sternum was cut in a reverse L shape, with the transverse section caudally lowered to the level of the second intercostal space. The first and second right costal cartilages were cut. The manubrium was raised, and the sternoclavicular joint was preserved. The principle of preservation of the sternoclavicular joint is the same as in the original TMA (3). The tumor was identified on the dorsal side of the right subclavian and internal thoracic arteries. The surrounding tissue of the tumor was found to be scarred and hard due to the definitive chemoradiotherapy received previously; therefore, several samples of the surrounding tissue were dissected for intraoperative frozen section analysis, resulting in no malignant findings in the margin. The lesion was dissected from the right subclavian artery and the anterior surface of the first and second thoracic vertebrae, and the right upper lobe was partially resected. The sternum was firmly fixed using sternal pins (Super Fixsorb 30; Takiron Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) and sheets (Super Fixsorb MX40; Takiron Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan), which comprised a mixture of unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactic acid, and No. 5 Ethibond nonabsorbable braided polyester sutures (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA). The lesion was successfully resected and there was no restriction in the shoulder function. Complete resection was achieved, and no recurrence occurred postoperatively at 36 months. The initial plan for this patient was to employ a conventional two-step strategy, consisting of an original TMA followed by a lateral decubitus position. However, resection could only be achieved using this modification. As shown in the video, although the incision was small, the necessary surgical view could be obtained.

One advantage of this extended modification of TMA is the ability to view the mediastinal side as well as the superior sulcus area. This approach is a possible procedural option for lesions located in the region extending from the mediastinum to the superior sulcus. In this method, it is important to firmly fix the sternum because the portion of the sternal angle may be slightly fragile.

We described the procedure presented herein as an extended modification of TMA, but this approach may also be considered as a modification of Masaoka’s trap-door procedure. During the surgery, the transverse section of the sternum was caudally lowered to the level of the second intercostal space, the first and second costal cartilages were cut, and the manubrium was raised, in order to preserve the sternoclavicular joint as similarly to original TMA. Therefore, we deem it suitable to consider this approach to be a modification of TMA.

Currently, minimally invasive procedures have been advancing significantly in the field of thoracic surgery, with thoracoscopic surgery being widely performed, and robotic surgery being introduced. Alternatively, open thoracotomy is less frequently performed, and unusual types of surgery, such as TMA, are also becoming less frequent. Nevertheless, reliable techniques for open thoracotomy remain important. Although the modification presented herein is minor, and it may be superfluous to add a comment on the classic and famous TMA, we hope that this report and the video will prompt further discussion on open thoracotomy and could be of help in daily clinical practice.

The article’s supplementary files as