Conventional resection of pulmonary metastases.

We present an overview of surgical technique for the resection of secondary tumor metastases to the lungs. Issues addressed include the optimal surgical approach, the requirement to remove all lesions while preserving unaffected lung parenchyma and the advantages of the available surgical staplers and devices. In selected patients, resection of metastatic lesions to the lung or chest wall offers a survival benefit. Although pulmonary metastases without further tumor spread may represent unique host or tumor biology, approximately 40% of patients survive 5 years. As it is not uncommon to repeat metastasectomy, consideration of technical aspects is important.