BACKGROUNDTo summarize the clinical results of bronchoplastic procedures and pulmonary artery reconstruction or combined with other resection and plasty of heart, great vessels in the treatment of 304 patients with locally advanced lung cancer.

METHODSFrom February, 1983 to December, 2001, double sleeve resection and reconstruction of bronchus and pulmonary artery, or combined with other resection of heart, great vessels were carried out in 304 patients with locally advanced lung cancer. The operations included double sleeve left upper lobectomy in 199 cases; double sleeve right upper lobectomy in 21 cases; double sleeve right upper middle lobectomy in 14 cases; double sleeve left upper lobectomy combined with resection of left atrium in 8 cases; double sleeve right upper lobectomy combined with superior vena cava (SVC) resection and reconstruction with Gortex graft in 29 cases; double sleeve right upper middle lobectomy combined with SVC resection and reconstruction in 21 cases; double sleeve right upper middle lobectomy, carinal and SVC resection and reconstruction in 11 cases; left pneumonectomy combined right main pulmonary artery and pulmonary artery trunk resection and reconstruction with Gortex graft in 1 case.

RESULTSThere were 3 operative deaths. The operative mortality was 1% in this series. Sixty four patients had operative complications. The operative complication rate was 21.05% (64/304). The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10 year survival rates were 81.75%, 60.14%, 37.21% and 24.39% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDouble sleeve lobectomy or comblined with other resection and reconstruction of heart, great vessels can significantly improve the prognosis and increase the curative rate and long term survival in patients with locally advanced lung cancer.