BACKGROUNDSleeve recestion for lung cancer can get similar tumor and lymph node resection rate as pneumonectomy, with less influence on pulmonary function and much improvement of quality of life. The aim of this study is to compare the 5-year survival and complications of sleeve resection and pneumonectomy for lung cancer.

METHODSSurvival analysis was used to investigate the 5-year survival of 173 patients undergoing sleeve resection and 435 patients undergoing pneumonectomy from January 1990 to December 2000. Their complication and perioperative motality were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe overall 5-year survival for sleeve resection and pneumonectomy was 42.3% and 30.9%, respectively (P=0.007). 5-year survival of right lung sleeve resection was better than that of left lung [P=0.004 (N0), 0.025 (N1), 0.042 (N2)]. In left lung cancer patients without nodal involvement, the survival after sleeve resection was better than that after pneumonectomy. There was no survival difference between N1 and N2 lung cancer patients. Survival was not significantly different for bronchoplasty and pulmonary arterioplasty and pneumonectomy. The incidence rate of pneumonia and arrhythmia for sleeve resection was less than those for pneumonectomy (P=0.0019), and no significant difference of mortality was observed between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSIn lung cancer patients suitable for sleeve resection or pneumonectomy, sleeve resection should be performed for right lung cancer and left lung cancer of stage I. Bronchoplasty and pulmonary arterioplasty don't prolong the survival of lung cancer patients compared with pneumonectomy.