Carinal Resections

Abstract

Carinal resections are consistently described in the literature as one of the most challenging procedures in thoracic surgery. Depending on the underlying disease and its extent, different resection forms and reconstruction techniques are required. From a surgical point of view, the complex anatomy, and the technique of reconstruction of the central airway are particularly challenging. However, complex airway management and extensive postoperative follow-up demonstrate that these procedures require a multidisciplinary team effort beyond surgical expertise. This article reviews the most important pre-, intra-, and post-operative aspects of these challenging procedures.