Video-assisted cervical thoracoscopy: a novel approach for diagnosis, staging and pleurodesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Objectives: In the preoperative workup for radical surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), mediastinal lymph node staging, diagnostic pleural biopsies and effusion control with talc pleurodesis are required. We present a new technique combining these objectives via a single cervical incision using the videomediastinoscope and demonstrate its clinical benefits.

Methods: Video-assisted cervical thoracoscopy (VACT) was attempted in 15 patients (13 male, mean age 57 years), who were potential candidates for radical surgery.