Bronchoplastic procedures in the treatment of endobronchial carcinoid tumors

Pulmonary carcinoid tumor was surgically treated in 33 patients during a 22-year period. The tumor was polypoid and endobronchial in 19 (58%) of the patients. Conventional operation was required in 12 (63%) of the 19, viz. pneumonectomy (1), bilobectomy (1), lobectomy (9) or lingulectomy (1). In one of these 12 patients, metastasis to a salivary gland was found 15 years postoperatively, and to the mediastinum after 16 years. The other seven patients (5 female, 2 male) were treated with bronchoplasty, or with lobectomy and bronchial resection including bronchoplasty, to avoid more extensive pulmonary resection. All seven were recalled for follow-up examination 5 months to 10 years postoperatively. No recurrence or metastasis of the tumor was found, and spirometry and radiospirometry showed that the saved pulmonary tissue was functional.