Port-site recurrence following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Abstract

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is an established modality in the management of pleural diseases. We report a case of port-site recurrence following management of malignant pleural effusion in an elderly patient with extensive pleural metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the lung. Although her shortness of breath was relieved following VAT decortication and talc insufflation, at 3 months she was found to have a 2.5-cm subcutaneous nodule at the camera port site which on biopsy was confirmed to be metastatic in nature. Even though the nodule was asymptomatic and the patient prognosis was not affected, it is important that both the surgeon and future patients should be aware of this potential complication.