Simultaneous resection of synchronous bilateral bronchogenic carcinoma using median sternotomy.

Despite the increasing use of median sternotomy for pulmonary resection, only two successful cases of simultaneous resection of bilateral primary bronchogenic carcinoma by this approach have been reported. We report the third case of successful resection of synchronous primary bronchogenic carcinoma by median sternotomy, and the fourth successful case of simultaneous resection, as the first reported case of simultaneous resection was accomplished via bilateral anterolateral thoracotomy incisions. We believe at present that the ideal surgical approach for patients with bilateral primary bronchogenic carcinoma is simultaneous resection by median sternotomy.