Major pulmonary resections: pneumonectomies and lobectomies.

We report on our experience in 20 patients who underwent major thoracoscopic pulmonary resections between October 1991 and November 1992. These consist of 2 left pneumonectomies, 17 lobectomies, and 1 segmentectomy. The indications were strictly limited to benign pulmonary diseases and stage I (TNM) primary lung cancer. A hilar lymphadenectomy was performed in all cases of malignancy. Our surgical technique is described. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of performing major video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary resections, even though the definite role of this procedure in the management of lung cancer must still be defined.