Conservative sleeve resection with complete preservation of the lung parenchyma is very rarely applicable for the treatment of bronchial carcinomas. We used this surgical procedure in four patients with bronchial carcinoma in various sites of the central airway, and we obtained successful results. The pathological types were two squamous cell carcinomas and two low-grade malignant tumors (mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma). If patients are properly selected, this operative procedure appears to be a safe and radical therapeutic option for the treatment of bronchial neoplasms arising from major bronchi.
Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel