BRONCHOPLASTY FOR A TYPICAL CARCINOID: AN UNUSUAL CHOICE FOR AN UNUSUAL PATIENT

Primary carcinoid tumours of the lung are rare tumours and when typical are associated with a benign behaviour and should be classified as low-grade neuroendocrine tumour/carcinoma. A 67-year old HIV-positive female was admitted due to a typical carcinoid tumour on the distal third of the main left bronchus, occupying two thirds of the lumen. Given she was HIV positive, had a moderately compromised lung function and in order to minimize surgical events, postoperative complications and to maximize postoperative lung function, the authors opted for a bronchoplasty using a patch. The surgery was uneventful and as the resected area of the bronchus was small, patency was assured and the distortion was minimal. During extubation, resistance was felt upon trying to the remove the bronchial blocker. After performing bronchoscopy it was seen that the loop at the end of the bronchial blocker was caught in the patch suture. Fortunately it was possible to cut the loop, freeing the blocker and avoiding a redo surgery. There were several possible options, ranging from left pneumonectomy, superior left lobe sleeve lobectomy, resection of the left main bronchus with a Y bronchial reconstruction or a bronchoplasty using a patch. The chosen technique has several advantages: From an oncological standpoint a typical carcinoid is indolent and needs only a clear resection margin. From a functional standpoint lung tissue resection was prevented. From a surgical standpoint it is less challenging, easy to perform and less prone to surgical events, essential considering the particular case of an AIDS patient.