Carinal Sleeve Pneumonectomy for Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background : Here, we present our experience of 12 lung cancer cases operated with carinal sleeve pneumonectomy (CSP) from 2001 to 2011.Methods : 12 cases who had undergone CSP in our department from 2001 to 2011 were retrospectively evaluated and presented by taking into account their demographical and clinical features, the surgical technique that was used, the complications that developed and the latest conditions of these patients.Results : Of the 12 cases, 11 were male and 1 was female with a mean age of 58.6 years (40–71 years). 11 cases had right and 1 had left CSP. The ethiology for resection was lung cancer in all cases. 10 cases had carinal invasion of the lung cancer, 1 had bronchopleural fistula developing after right pneumonectomy, 1 had distal tracheal rupture due to intubation tube placed during pneumonectomy; these all resulted in performing CSP. Five patients developed complications during the postoperative period. Three cases developed recurrences/metastases during the follow-up. Nine patients died, 3 patients were alive and were followed-up by our department. For all the cases, the median survival was 9 months, the estimated survival rate of 2-years was 33%, and 5-year survival rate was 22%. Survival for 2–4 years was 71%. Conclusions : We think that with increasing surgical experience better results are obtained in these technically demanding procedures.