Background: To analyze the short-term effects and long term survival of patients with lung cancer underwent tracheal carina reconstruction and bronchoplasty.
Methods: From April 1985 to May 1999, 94 patients with lung cancer underwent tracheal carina reconstruction and bronchoplasty, 14 for carinal resection and reconstruction and 80 for bronchial sleeves.
Results: Postoperative complications were atelectasis ( 19 cases) , arrthymia ( 2 cases) and anastomotic leakage ( 1 case) . There was no operative death in this series. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 83. 1%( 74/ 89) , 58. 3%( 35/ 56) and 34. 0%( 18/ 53) respectively for the entire group. The 5-year survival rate was 66. 7%( 6/ 9) in stage Ñ B disease, 40%( 6/ 15) in Ò B disease and 21. 1%( 4/ 19) in Ó A disease. The indication of these procedures and the methods of lymph node dissection, bronchoplasty and pulmonary artery reconstruction, and superior vena cava reconstruction have been discussed.
Conclusions: Bronchoplasty for lung cancer is a safe and effective therapy. The long term survival depends on the stage of lung cancer , proper selection of surgical indication, clearance of lymph nodes in operation and multiple modality therpay after operation.