[Surgical outcome of tracheobronchial reconstruction for lung cancer]

We retrospectively evaluated the surgical outcome after sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy with tracheobronchial reconstruction for lung cancer. From 1993 to 2008, 46 patients with primary lung cancer underwent these surgical procedures. Seventeen patients (37%) received induction therapy, 15 received chemotherapy, while chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone were received by one patient each. Sleeve lobectomy without carinal resection was performed in 41 patients. Carinal resection with 2 sleeve pneumonectomies was performed in 5 patients. There were no operative deaths. Bronchopleural fistula occurred in one patient, who required completion pneumonectomy. One patient presented local mucosal necrosis in the anastomotic site and was managed conservatively. Two patients had bronchial strictures as late complications and successfully dilated by a balloon using bronchoscopy. Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 54% and 48%, respectively. No recurrence developed at any anastomotic site. The results showed that sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy with tracheobronchial reconstruction can be performed with low mortality and bronchial anastomotic complication rates. As well, local control of the tumor was satisfactory.