Perioperative Outcomes of Sleeve Resection Lung - Observational Study

For patients who are unable to tolerate pneumonectomy with inadequate pulmonary reserve, pulmonary sleeve resection is an effective alternative. Due to advancements in perioperative care and oncologic benefits for central lung cancers, sleeve resection is a preferred approach, even in patients with good pre-operative pulmonary reserve.

Patients with resectable intrabronchial tumors - Non small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) like squamous cell carcinoma, carcinoid tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and other histologies who underwent sleeve resection surgery from January 2020 to January 2025, were included.

A total of 51 intrabronchial tumors were operated, of which 25 cases underwent sleeve resection, and the rest underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy.Right lung sleeve resections were done for 13 cases, and in left lung 12 cases sleeve resection was done. Postoperative complications were noted in 6 patients. Clavien Dindo grade >3 in 4 patients and grade<3 in 2 patients. None of them has anastomosis related complications like leak, fistula, or stricture. Postoperative pulmonary function test was done in 18 out of 25 patients at 12th month to date. A positive trend of improvement was noted in postoperative FEV1 compared to predicted postoperative FEV1 in 10 out of 18 patients. 24 patients are alive and without recurrence. No 30-day mortality.

Sleeve resection of the lung is a good option for endobronchial tumors with acceptable perioperative and short-term outcomes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-026-02554-2.