Regional lung function following upper sleeve lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma

Regional lung function of the operated side following upper sleeve lobectomy (n = 8) and simple upper lobectomy (n = 7) for lung cancer was evaluated. Regional ventilation was studied with Krypton 81m and regional pulmonary blood flow was studied with Technetium 99m. Measurements were taken from 12 to 24 months after operation. The ventilation rate of the operated side following right upper sleeve lobectomy (n = 5) was 42.9 +/- 6.7% and the perfusion rate was 37.4 +/- 4.6%. The regional ventilation rate of the operated side after simple right upper lobectomy (n = 3) was 45.9 +/- 10.5% and the perfusion rate was 46.2 +/- 5.2%. For the patients with left upper sleeve lobectomy (n = 3), these ratios were 29.9 +/- 11.1% and 19.2 +/- 3.6%, respectively. For the patients with simple left upper lobectomy (n = 4), these ratios were 27.3 +/- 4.5% and 22.3 +/- 3.3%. There were no statistical differences between the group with upper sleeve lobectomy and that with simple upper lobectomy. Regional function improved gradually with time. In conclusion, the regional lung function of the operated side following sleeve lobectomy was well preserved and showed no difference when compared with the regional function after simple lobectomy for lung cancer.