[Limited pleuro-pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma associated with cancerous pleural effusion]

To evaluate the effects of limited pleuro-pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma associated with cancerous pleural effusion.

From January. 1994 to December 1997 we performed limited pulmonary lobectomy wedge resection of lung, resection of the metastases of the parietal pleura, visceral pleura, diaphragmatic pleura and pericardiac pleura, and electro incision of the micormetastases of the above position as well as cleaning the mediastinal lymph nodes in 14 cases.

The 14 cases were followed-up to December 1998. Eight patients of them died, the other 6 patients survived with a survival period of 7 - 30 months (median survival period 16.5 months). No pleural effusions recurrence was seen. The longest survival period was 30 months. There were no operative mortality and no severe postoperative complication. Chest distress, dyspnea and pain of chest or abdomen were relieved.

This simple method has such advantages as, less traumatic, rapid rehabilitation and effective control of pleural effusion. The postoperative survival period is longer than that of palliative operation and medical therapy. The pain caused by parietal pleural metastasis can be relieved.