Tracheo-carinal Reconstruction, Bronchoplasty and Vascular Reconstruction in the Treatment of Central Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND:To maximize the preservation of functional pulmonary parenchyma, extend the indication of lung cancer operation and improve the life quality of patients with central lung cancer, reconstruction of carina, bronchoplasty and arterioplasty are widely used with good efficacy. The aim of this study is to summarize the clinical results of reconstruction of carina, bronchoplasty and arterioplasty in the treatment of 79 patients with central lung cancer.METHODS:From June, 1988 to June, 2005, reconstruction of carina, bronchoplasty and arterioplasty were carried out in 79 patients with central lung cancer. The ope- rations included single sleeve lobectomy in 58 cases, double sleeve lobectomy in 15 cases, carinal resection and reconstruction in 6 cases.RESULTS:There was no operative death in this series. Seven patients had operative complications and the operative complication rate was 8.86% (7/79). The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 78.5%, 59.5%, 35.4% and 17.7% respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Reconstruction of carina, bronchoplasty and arterioplasty can significantly protect pulmonary function, improve the prognosis and increase the curative rate and long term survival in patients with central lung cancer.