[Segmentectomy and bronchoplasty for early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the segmental bronchus]

Five cases with hilar type early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the segmental bronchi underwent segmentectomy and bronchoplasty. All were males and the ages with sixties. Locations of early stage lung cancer were the apical bronchus of the right lower lobe (B6) in one patient, the intermediate-lower lobe bronchus in one, the anterior bronchus of the left upper lobe (B3) in two and the lower division bronchus (B4+5) in one. All were diagnosed as early stage squamous cell carcinoma by preoperative bronchoscopic examination. The segments resected were the right S6 in two, left S1+2+3 in one, left S4+5 in one and left S3 in one. There was no postoperative complications related to bronchial anastomosis. One patient died of secondary primary lung cancer 3 years after operation. While, four patients are alive and well one, 6, 12 and 46 months after surgery. Sleeve segmentectomy for the patients with early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the segmental bronchus is a curative operation with preserving pulmonary function.