Parenchyma-sparing bronchial sleeve resections in trauma, benign and malign diseases.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated our experience with parenchyma-sparing bronchial sleeve resections in trauma, benign and malign disease to determine the operative morbidity, mortality and long-term outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our prospective database of all patients who underwent bronchial sleeve resection without parenchymal loss. Clinical data, morbidity, mortality and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: From January 1999 through December 2008, 19 patients (11 male) underwent bronchial sleeve resection without removal of pulmonary parenchyma. Median age was 42.2 ± 12.2 years (range 18 to 70 years). Indications were carcinoid tumors (n = 14), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 1), non-small cell lung cancer (n = 1), blunt chest trauma (n = 2) and stenosis (n = 1). Isolated resection of the bifurcation (n = 4), resection of the bifurcation en bloc with the right main bronchus with reconstruction of a “neo-trifurcation” (n = 1), resection of the right main stem bronchus (n = 6), resection of the bronchus intermedius (n = 2) and resection of the middle lobe bronchus (n = 1) were right-sided procedures. Left-sided procedures included resection of the left main stem bronchus (n = 3) and left main stem bronchus resection en bloc with the upper lobe and lower lobe bronchus (n = 2). Follow-up was complete and ranged from 11 to 108 months (median follow-up 62.7 ± 28.6 months). Morbidity was 26.4 %. The cure was delayed in 1 out of 19 anastomoses. No anastomotic dehiscence was seen. No mortality occurred. Resections were complete except for the resection of the adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 1, R1 resection). No anastomotic stenosis or recurrence of cancer occurred in the late outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In properly selected patients, traumatic bronchial ruptures, localized malign or benign disease can be safely resected without parenchymal loss. Excellent morbidity and mortality rates and a good long-term outcome can be achieved.