Postoperative ischemic change in bronchial stumps after primary lung cancer resection

The bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a major complication after lung surgery. We have reviewed our experience with ischemic changes in bronchial stumps, some of which resulted in BPFs (we term this postoperative ischemic bronchitis (POIB)) and studied predisposing factors.

A total of 1015 patients undergoing curative resection of lung cancers between 1991 and 2002 were reviewed. Details regarding bronchofiberscopic findings within the first 15 postoperative days were carefully reviewed with particular attention to factors possibly affecting the occurrence of POIB: the techniques for bronchial closure and mediastinal lymph node dissection (LND). Information about clinical profiles and histologic status was also analyzed.

The incidence of POIB was 2.5% (29/1015), affecting 26 males and 3 females. The most common site was the right intermediate trunk stump (n=4; 7.1%), followed by the left upper (n=8; 3.4%), right lower (n=5; 3.4%), right middle (n=2; 3.3%), and left lower (n=4; 3.2%) lobar bronchial stumps. BPFs eventually resulted in 3 patients (10%) out of 29 with POIB and in 4 (0.4%) out of 986 without it (p<0.0001). Being male, a smoker, having diabetes mellitus, having postoperative respiratory complications and subcarinal LND proved to exert a significant impact with regard to POIB.

Surgeons must bear in mind the possibility of POIB occurrence, especially in cases undergoing particular types of lobectomy (right middle and lower, left upper, right lower or right middle) accompanied by subcarinal LND and having postoperative respiratory complications. Moreover, in appropriate groups with tumors of the right upper lobe or left upper segment, limited mediastinal LND might allow avoidance of POIB.