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A logical approach to the thoracic inlet: The dartevelle approach revisited
Author(s) -
Ducic Yadranko,
Crepeau Andre,
Ducic Laura,
Lamothe Andre,
Corsten Martin
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199912)21:8<767::aid-hed13>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck , apex (geometry) , surgery , lung , cardiothoracic surgery , radiology , anatomy
Background Traditionally, Pancoast tumors have been associated with an extremely poor outlook. Recently, Dartevelle and colleagues have noted a significant survival advantage in patients treated by wide en bloc excision. Methods Utilizing an illustrative case example, step by step exposure of the lung apex and first rib is provided with the Dartevelle approach. Results Safe exposure was provided by this combined transcervical and transthoracic approach. Conclusions The Dartevelle approach appears to be the favored approach to anterior lung apex or first rib lesions. The combined efforts of an Otolaryngolist‐Head and Neck Surgeon and a Thoracic Surgeon may allow for safe, wide en bloc excision of these otherwise difficult to access lesions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 21: 767–771, 1999.