[Evaluation of therapeutic method for malignant tumors involving the tracheal carina]

We evaluated 9 patients with malignant tumors involving the tracheal carina. In 2 patients, carinal reconstruction was performed using Miyamoto's method and sleeve pneumonectomy was performed in another patient. All 3 patients had no anastomotic complications after the operation and were ambulatory at discharge. Two patients are still alive, and the others died by 15 months after surgery. Dynamic stenting was performed in 4 patients and a Dumon stent was used in 2 patients. Respiratory symptoms were relieved soon after stent placement, but none of the stented patients survived more than 3 months, except for one who also had surgery. Sometimes surgery is avoided because of its high morbidity and mortality, but the prognosis is very poor without resection. We think surgery should be performed where possible, when the disease is resectable. Miyamoto's method is superior to others and causes few complications.