Bronchoplastic resection for non-small-cell lung cancer

During the past 12 years, among 1478 operations for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 102 (6.9%) bronchosplastic resections were performed. There were 74 lobectomies, 19 bilobectomies, and 9 pneumonectomies done by means of 72 sleeve-, 28 wedge resections, and 2 resections of the tracheal bifurcation. Atelectasis was observed in 6%, whereas anastomotic dehiscence occurred in 4%. Local complete resection was achieved in 81%. The 30-day mortality amounted to 4%. Our results demonstrate that bronchoplastic procedures represent a safe therapeutic option in the operative treatment of central NSCLC.