Fig. 3

Operative view in the prone position. a Carbon dioxide insufflation facilitated the exposure of the tumor (*) anterior to the thoracic vertebra (**). b The mediastinal pleura was incised inferiorly to mobilize the tumor from the pericardium. c By dissecting the pleura toward the cranial direction, the tumor was removed from the bronchus and esophagus. An excellent operative field was maintained even with bilateral ventilation. d The tumor was completely removed