Modified Blalock clamp: A single-hand autostatic device for pulmonary vessel occlusion during lung cancer resection

Abstract

Vascular clamping during lung cancer resection may be difficult in patients with short vessels or large neoplasms preventing adequate and safe exposure. In addition, the physiological vicinity of some vessels to rigid structures like the bronchi may interfere with ideal clamp positioning even in ordinary procedures. We have modified the original Blalock clamp to facilitate the control of pulmonary vessels and physiologically compress the vessel walls, thereby allowing optimal vascular resection and reconstruction during lung cancer surgery. This clamp allows easy, safe and physiological control of pulmonary vessels thanks to its double-branched guillotine mechanism. © The Author 2012.