Long-term clinical and functional results of sleeve lobectomy for primary lung cancer

Sleeve lobectomy is a lung-saving operation in which a portion of main bronchus is removed in continuity with the involved lobe to preserve distal parenchyma. Current controversies relate to indication and safety of the procedure, adequacy as a cancer operation, and contribution of the reimplanted lobe to overall remaining lung function. Between 1975 and 1985, sleeve lobectomy was done electively in 72 patients with lung cancer. There were no operative deaths, but major complications occurred in 10% of patients. Most resected carcinomas were squamous (65/72). Complete resection was performed in all but five patients. A minimum of 1 year's follow-up information was available for all patients. For patients with N0 disease (n = 34) the cumulative 5 year survival rate was 67%, and for patients with N1 status (n = 34) it was 60%. Although postoperative pulmonary function studies at 5 years (n = 19) show subnormal values, they were not severely altered with regard to percent of predicted (forced vital capacity, 85.9% +/- 17.5%; forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 74.9% +/- 19.4%). Regional function was determined by ventilation/perfusion isotope scanning methods. For 15 patients with right lung bronchoplasties, perfusion ratios were 41.1% right lung/58.9% left lung. For four patients with left sleeve operations, these ratios were 29.3% left lung/51.7% right lung. Washout curves show comparable ventilation between the reimplanted lobe and the contralateral lung. The data show that sleeve lobectomy is a safe and adequate operation for patients with resectable lung cancer. The reimplanted lobe or lobes contribute significantly to the overall remaining lung function.