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Importance of preoperative imaging with 64-row three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography for safer video-assisted thoracic surgery in lung cancer

Surgery Today volume 39, pages 844–847 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has recently been adopted for complicated anatomical lung resections. During these thoracoscopic procedures, surgeons view the operative field on a two-dimensional (2-D) video monitor and cannot palpate the organ directly, thus frequently encountering anatomical difficulties. This study aimed to estimate the usefulness of preoperative three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of thoracic organs.

Methods

We compared the preoperative 64-row three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (3DMDCT) findings of lung cancer-affected thoracic organs to the operative findings.

Results

In comparison to the operative findings, the branches of pulmonary arteries, veins, and bronchi were well defined in the 3D-MDCT images of 27 patients.

Conclusion

3D-MDCT imaging is useful for preoperatively understanding the individual thoracic anatomy in lung cancer surgery. This modality can therefore contribute to safer anatomical pulmonary operations, especially in VATS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, 163-1 Kashiwashita, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8567, Japan

    Tadashi Akiba, Hideki Marushima & Susumu Kobayashi

  2. Department of Radiology, Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, 163-1 Kashiwashita, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8567, Japan

    Junta Harada

  3. Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Jikei University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Toshiaki Morikawa

Authors
  1. Tadashi Akiba
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  2. Hideki Marushima
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  3. Junta Harada
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  4. Susumu Kobayashi
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  5. Toshiaki Morikawa
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Akiba, T., Marushima, H., Harada, J. et al. Importance of preoperative imaging with 64-row three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography for safer video-assisted thoracic surgery in lung cancer. Surg Today 39, 844–847 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-009-3965-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-009-3965-1

Key words

  • Lung/mediastinum
  • Lung cancer
  • Video-assisted thoracic surgery
  • Pulmonary artery
  • Three-dimensional computed tomography