VIDEO-ASSISTED PNEUMONECTOMY - LESSONS LE ARNED FROM AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN AN ANIMAL-MODEL

In order to test the feasibility of video-assisted pneumonectomy, we c onducted an experimental study in an animal model. We performed 12 att empts of video-assisted pneumonectomy (7 on the right side and 5 on th e left side) in pigs with an average weight of 43.5 kg. We used a comb ined technique of conventional and endoscopic dissection. A complicati on-free pneumonectomy was possible in 7 animals. Among the remaining 5 animals, 6 vascular injuries occurred, one of which was lethal. Two o ther animals died during the procedure for unknown reasons. We conclud e that: 1) the vascular risk of video-assisted pneumonectomy appears t o be prohibitive; 2) the value of animal models for vats feasibility s tudies is questionable because of the major differences in anatomical conditions.