Surgical approaches for resection of pulmonary metastases

Procedure	Pain	Exposure	Lung palpation	Postoperative respiratory compromise	Wound complication	Adhesions
VATS	(+)	(++)			(+)	(+)
Thoracotomy	(+++)	(+++)	(+++)	(+++)	(+)	(+++)
Sternotomy	(++)	(+)	(+++)	(+)	(++)*	(+++)
Clamshell	(++++)	(++++)	(++++)	(++++)	(++)*	(+++)

Pulm_mets_surgery.htm

VATS: video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
* Related to morbidity not incidence of sternal wound infection.

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