BACKGROUNDTo maximize the preservation of functional pulmonary parenchyma and improve the quality of life of patients with centrally located lung cancer, trachea-bronchoplasty has been used in clinical application with good efficacy. The aim of this study is to explore the appropriate admission and management of trachea-bronchoplasty and prevent complications of trachea-bronchial sleeve resection in the treatment of centrally located lung cancer.

METHODSSeventy-six patients with central lung cancer, who were treated with trachea-bronchoplasty from June, 1988 to October, 2004, were analyzed. There were 49 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 16 adenocarcinoma, 7 adenosquamous carcinoma, 3 small cell lung cancer and 1 adenoid cystic adenocarcinoma. Seventeen patients were in stage I, 39 in stage II, 17 in stage IIIA and 3 in stage IIIB. There were 55 cases of sleeve lobectomy, 12 lobectomy with wedge resection of the main bronchus, 8 big arc resection of superior lobar bronchus-main trachea-lateral wall of trachea, 1 resection of right upper lobe-right main bronchus-carina-lateral trachea and carinal reconstruction.

RESULTSPostoperative complications happened in 7 patients. Pneumonia and atelectasis occurred in 6 cases, in which 1 died of heart and respiratory failure. Another one died of haemorrhage of upside alimentary canal. Seventy-one patients were followed up (93.4%). The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate was 82.4% (56/68), 57.8% (26/45) and 41.7% (15/36) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe trachea-bronchoplasty can not only preserve functional pulmonary parenchyma as much as possible and improve the quality of life of patients, but also provide an operative opportunity to those patients with poor pulmonary function in the treatment of centrally located lung cancer.