Total lung preservation following mainstem-bronchial resection for carcinoid tumor

Carcinoid tumors of the trachea and bronchi account for approximately 2% of all lung tumors. Carcinoid tumors, especially those in the bronchi, often produce obstruction that can mimic foreign body aspiration or asthma and may lead to post-obstruction atelectasis and pneumonia. Management of carcinoid tumors of the bronchi has been by endoscopic resection, sleeve lobectomy with parenchymal sparing, and pneumonectomy. We present a case in which an obstructing bronchial carcinoid tumor was successfully managed by long-segment mainstem-bronchial resection with total lung preservation by re-implantation.