What surgical procedure removes the pleural membrane?

The surgical procedure that specifically involves the removal of pleural membrane is decortication. This procedure is performed to remove fibrous tissue and the pleura that has thickened due to conditions such as empyema or chronic infections. By excising this membrane, decortication aims to allow the lung to re-expand and function properly by clearing the fibrous layers.

In contrast, thoracotomy refers to an incision into the thoracic cavity, which may be performed for various surgical interventions but does not exclusively target the pleural membrane. Pleurodesis, on the other hand, is a procedure intended to fuse the pleural layers together and is typically used to prevent the accumulation of pleural fluid rather than removing the pleural membrane itself. Pneumonectomy involves the surgical removal of an entire lung and does not specifically address the pleural membranes. Thus, the focus of decortication on removing the pleural membrane aligns it directly with the requirements of the question.