[Clinical analysis of completion pneumonectomy on lung cancer]

To explore the indications, operative technique and outcome of completion pneumonectomy for lung cancer .

Thirty-two cases of lung cancer underwent completion pneumonectomy. The 5-year survival rate was calculated with a Kaplan-Meier model and compared with that of the 165 standard pneumonectomy on lung cancer during the same period.

Extrapleural dissection was performed in 8 cases, intrapericardial vessel ligation was in 16, chest wall was resected in 1, and the left atrium was partly resected in 1. There was no operative mortality. The postoperative complication incidence was 21. 9% ( 7/ 32) , which was significantly higher than that for standard pneumonectomy ( 5. 5%, 9/ 165) during the same period ( P < 0. 05) . The overall 5-year survival rate was 21. 9%, which compared favorably with 25. 7% of the standard pneumonectomy during the same period ( P > 0. 05) .

The indications for completion pneumonectomy include local recurrence, second primary lung cancer and lung cancer developed after pneumonectomy for benign disease. Although the operative technique is complex and the postoperative complication incidence is high, the 5-year survival rate can be the same as that of standard pneumonectomy.