Prophylactic intracavitary (pneumonectomy space) antibiotic instillation: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postpneumonectomy empyema is a dreaded complication of pneumonectomy. The effectiveness of prophylactic intracavitary antibiotic instillation is not known. We conducted a retrospective review to assess the effect of pneumonectomy space antibiotic instillation on septic complications (empyema and bronchial fistula) of pneumonectomy. METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive patients underwent pneumonectomy at our institution over a three-year period. Their charts were reviewed retrospectively and data was collected on age, gender, diagnosis, intravenous antibiotics, intracavitary (pneumonectomy space) antibiotics, empyemas, bronchial fistulas, length of hospital stay, and operative mortality. RESULTS: All 93 patients received 3 perioperative doses of prophylactic intravenous antibiotics. One group (n=47) of patients also received intraoperative intracavitary instillation of an antibiotic solution (penicillin G: 5 million units, bacitracin: 50,000 units, gentamicin: 60 mg, in 1 litre of saline) while the other group (n=46) did not. Age, gender, diagnosis, and length of stay were not significantly different in the two groups. There were no empyemas or bronchial fistulas in the intracavitary antibiotic group. Postpneumonectomy empyemas occurred in 6 (13%) patients (empyema with bronchial fistula: 5, empyema alone: 1) that had not received intracavitary antibiotics (p=0.012). There were 4 deaths (9%) in each group (p=0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic intraoperative intracavitary antibiotic instillation may reduce the incidence of empyemas after pneumonectomy. However, a randomized trial would be needed to prove the effectiveness of this form of prophylactic antibiotic strategy.     

Pneumonectomy for inflammatory lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: Recent surgical literature has highlighted the dangers of pneumonectomy for inflammatory lung disease; therefore the assessment of the risk/benefit ratio of our departmental policy. METHODS: Patients undergoing pneumonectomy for inflammatory lung disease during two 2-year periods, 1991-1992 and 1996-1997 inclusive, were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical indications for investigation and surgery, and radiographic findings were determined. Some comparisons between the two periods were drawn. Rates of morbidity and mortality were the principle outcome measures. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-five patients, 116 males, 39 females, with an average age of 30.2 years ranging from 1-68 years, underwent pneumonectomy for ongoing features of productive cough, haemoptysis (two emergencies) and chronic empyema all with either bronchographic or computed tomography (CT) evidence of destroyed lung. One hundred and fourteen (72%) had or had had tuberculosis at time of surgery. Histology showed bronchiectasis in 53 (34%), end-stage disease in 49 (31.6%) and active tuberculosis in 48 (30.9%). Over 90% of the patients were free of disease at discharge. Mortality was two (1.2%). Morbidity (23%) included post-pneumonectomy empyema 23 (14.8%), bleeding three (1.9%), broncho-pleural fistula three (1.9%), with wound sepsis in one (0.6%) and thoracic duct injury in one (0.6%). Three groups were identified, (1) pneumonectomy through empyema - a risk group, (2) pneumonectomy in active tuberculosis and (3) pneumonectomy in children. Twenty-three post-pneumonectomy empyemas (PPE) occurred with 21 of these following pneumonectomies through empyema (PTE), six PPEs followed 27 PTEs for active tuberculosis. Fourteen of the 21 empyemas following pneumonectomy through empyema were initially sterilized. Finally 15/23 (65%) of all PPEs were sterilized. Pneumonectomy in active tuberculosis did not carry the mortality or morbidity experienced by others. Pneumonectomy in children was remarkably uncomplicated, with one PPE occurring. CONCLUSIONS: This ongoing study shows pneumonectomy for inflammatory lung to be safe, with good results. Tuberculosis, being so common, adequate pre-operative and operative cover with anti-tuberculosis drugs may enhance results.     

Long-term outcomes and risk factor analysis after pneumonectomy for active and sequela forms of pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis remains high in several areas of the world, and pneumonectomy is often necessary to treat the disease. We retrospectively analyzed the morbidities, mortalities, and long-term outcomes after pneumonectomy for the treatment of active tuberculosis or its sequelae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1981 and 2001, 94 patients underwent either pneumonectomy or pleuropneumonectomy for the treatment of tuberculosis. The patients included 44 males and 50 females and the mean age was 40 (16-68) years. The pathology included destroyed lung in 80, main bronchus stenosis in ten, and both lesions in four. Surgical procedures performed were pneumonectomy in 47, pleuropneumonectomy in 43, and completion pneumonectomy in four. RESULTS: One patient died postoperatively due to empyema. Twenty-three complications occurred in 20 patients: empyema in 15 (including seven bronchopleural fistulae), wound infections in five, and other complications in three. Univariate analysis revealed the presence of empyema, pleuropneumonectomy, prolonged operation time, old age, and intraoperative contamination as risk factors of postpneumonectomy empyema; it also showed that low preoperative FEV(1) and postoperative persistent positive sputum AFB were risk factors of bronchopleural fistula. In multivariate analysis, old age and low preoperative FEV(1) were risk factors of empyema while low preoperative FEV(1), positive sputum acid-fast bacilli, and the presence of aspergilloma were risk factors of bronchopleural fistula. There were 12 late deaths. Actuarial 5- and 10-year survival rates were 94+/-3% and 87+/-4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pneumonectomy could be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity, and could achieve satisfactory long-term survival for the treatment of tuberculosis. In patients with risk factors, special care is recommended to prevent postoperative empyema or bronchopleural fistula.     

Indications for pneumonectomy. Pneumonectomy for benign disease.

A wide variety of nonmalignant diseases of the lung require pneumonectomy. Pneumonectomy for inflammatory lung disease is frequently associated with high morbidity rates, and the frequencies of postpneumonectomy space empyema and bronchopleural fistula are high. It is essential to treat underlying infections prior to surgery in an effort to minimize the sputum production, maximize the patient's nutritional status, minimize the chance for intraoperative spillage, and decrease the risk of postoperative bronchopleural fistulas and postpneumonectomy space empyemas. Despite the challenges of performing a pneumonectomy for inflammatory diseases, cure rates for MDR-TB, MOTT infections, and fungal disease, including invasive fungal disease, are excellent. Pneumonectomy for trauma is associated with very high mortality, and efforts should be made to avoid pneumonectomy if possible. Pneumonectomy for other benign conditions is unusual.     

余肺切除治疗肺部疾患临床分析

目的探讨余肺切除的手术适应证、手术方法、并发症防治和远期疗效。方法回顾1985年1月至2006年8月进行的24例余肺切除[占同期全肺切除的2．3％（24／1026）]患者的临床资料。余肺切除距第1次肺切除的时间为5．5个月-30年,平均65个月;肺癌复发患者间隔时间为术后5．5个月～10年,平均32个月。手术历时4-7h,平均5．5h;术中失血300-3000ml,平均1270ml。结果手术切除23例,切除率为95．8％。术后并发症发生率及住院死亡率分别为29．2％（7／24）和4．2％（1／24）。术后病理诊断为支气管扩张症2例、原发性肺癌4例、复发性肺癌18例。术后随访率为91．7％（22／24）。肺癌余肺切除患者的1、3、5年生存率分别为77．3％（17／22）、50．0％（9／18）和29．4％（5／17）;其中复发性肺癌患者余肺切除术后的1、3、5年生存率为72．2％（13／18）、47．1％（8／17）和29．4％（5／17）。结论严格选择患者,术中精细操作,做好围手术期并发症的防治,余肺切除可有效延长患者的生存期。     

Pulmonary aspergilloma--indications for surgical intervention. An analysis of 22 cases

Surgical resection of aspergillomas has generally been associated with excess mortality and morbidity; 22 patients who had a resection of complicated mycetomas were studied retrospectively. Indications for surgery were serious haemoptysis (14), massive haemoptysis (6), and recurrent infection (2). Extrapleural pneumonectomy was required in 9 patients and extrapleural lobectomy in 12; thoracoplasty alone was done in 1 patient. There was 1 hospital death (4.5%); 4 patients developed postoperative empyemas (18%), 2 with associated bronchopleural fistulas. Two further patients (9%) had stable postresectional spaces. Surgery for complicated aspergilloma was associated with significant postoperative morbidity.     

Induction chemotherapy does not increase the operative risk of pneumonectomy!

BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing debate whether induction therapy increases post-operative mortality and morbidity, especially when performing pneumonectomy. We therefore reviewed a consecutive series of patients having undergone pneumonectomy in a single center. METHODS: The charts of 298 patients operated on between January 1999 and July 2005 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included those who received induction chemotherapy (60 patients, 20.1%), and group 2 included those who underwent surgery alone (238 patients, 79.9%). Endpoints were operative mortality at 30 and at 90 days, and major complications such as empyema, bronchial fistula and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 11.0 software. RESULTS: Demographic data were similar for both groups when considering side of operation, comorbidity and weaning from tobacco; patients were older in group 2 (61.83+/-9.58 years vs 57.75+/-8.94 years; p=0.003) and there were more female patients in group 2 (17.2% vs 5.0%; p=0.010). Post-operative mortality at 30 days was 6.7% in group 1 and 5.5% in group 2 (p=0.458), and 11.7% for group 1 and 10.9% in group 2 at 90 days (p=0.512). Incidence of empyema was 1.7% in group 1 and 2.1% in group 2 (p=0.652); incidence of bronchopleural fistulas was 1.7% in group 1 and 5.5% in group 2 (p=0.188); incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome was 3.3% in group 1 and 3.4% in group 2 (p=0.675). CONCLUSION: In opposition to previous reports, induction chemotherapy did not significantly jeopardize post-operative outcome following pneumonectomy in our experience.     

Chronic hemorrhagic empyema developed in thirty three years after the right pneumonectomy--a case report

A 55-year-old man was admitted because of exertional dyspnea. He had the right pneumonectomy thirty three years ago. Chest X-ray showed the mediastinal shift to the left. And chest CT scan showed right intrathoracic mass. The bloody pleural effusion was aspirated (Hb 9.4 g/dl) and its examination revealed Staphylococcus epidermidis. We resected the empyema cavity. During the operation, massive bleeding was experienced (total 23200 ml). Pathologically, micro blood vessels were marked in the organized hematomas and the pleura. Chronic hemorrhagic empyema is a specific type of chronic empyemas and it is dangerous to remove of the hematomas because of massive bleeding.     

Incidence and management of complications after neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and management of postoperative complications after neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. METHODS: Patients with histologically proven mesothelioma of clinical stages T1-3, N0-2, M0 and considered to be completely resectable received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin+gemcitabine or cisplatin+pemetrexed) followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy and postoperative radiotherapy. The incidence and management of postoperative complications in general and of bronchopleural fistula and postpneumonectomy-empyema in particular were analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors [sex, age, side of operation, weight loss, smoking, chemotherapy, EORTC-score (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-classification) and duration of operation]. RESULTS: Between 1st May 1999 and 15th August 2005, 63 patients underwent complete extrapleural pneumonectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperative complications were observed in 39 cases (62%) and 2 patients died within 30 days (3.2%). Postpneumonectomy-empyema occurred in 15.8% of the patients (n=10), six with a bronchopleural fistula on the right side. All empyemas were treated successfully. Five patients developed chylothorax (7.9%) and four patients had complications due to a patch failure: cardiac herniation (n=2), restriction of cardiac output (n=1) or gastric herniation (n=1). Patients with higher EORTC-score presented significantly more postoperative complications (p=0.03). A longer duration of surgery tended to be associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications, especially of empyemas. CONCLUSIONS: Extrapleural pneumonectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be performed with mortality rates comparable to standard pneumonectomies. Complications are frequent but can be successfully managed; the EORTC-score seems to be a predictor for postoperative complications.     

Completion pneumonectomy for recurrent lung cancer. Analysis of 59 cases]

From 1973 to 1989, a total of 59 consecutive patients with recurrent lung cancer had completion pneumonectomy. Completion pneumonectomy was done on the right side in 35 patients and left side in 24. The median interval between the first pulmonary resection and completion pneumonectomy for patients was 35 months (5 m-9.5 y). In this series postoperative complications and mortality were comparable to those for routine pneumonectomy. The 1, 3, 5 and 10 year survival rates were 88.5%, 30.2%, 21.4% and 16.7% respectively. None of those patients with histologically proved gross tumor remaining in the hemithorax at the time of reoperation survived longer than 2 years. The authors emphasized that the planning for such an operation must be done meticulously but aggressively. It is obvious that incomplete surgical resection of bronchial carcinoma should be avoided either at initial operation or at completion pneumonectomy because of poor prognosis.     

Thoracoplasty: current application to the infected pleural space

Thoracoplasty, once commonly used in the management of cavitary pulmonary disease, continues to find application in the obliteration of infected pleural spaces. This study reports a series of 13 patients receiving thoracoplasty between 1976 and 1989. Five patients had chronic apical empyema spaces without prior resection of lung tissue. Two of the empyemas were due to tuberculosis, two were due to atypical mycobacteria, and one was due to postpneumonic empyema. All patients had extensive destruction of upper lobe tissue. Eight patients had undergone prior pulmonary resection; 3 had persistent infected spaces in the early postoperative period, 3 had development of empyemas and bronchopleural fistulas late (5 to 19 years) after pulmonary resection, and 2 had postpneumonectomy empyema. All patients had rigid cavity walls preventing space obliteration by rib removal alone and required concomitant resection of the thickened pleura and intercostal muscle tissues. Bronchopleural fistulas were present in 11 patients and were closed with adjacent nonintercostal muscle. All patients survived and had successful obliteration of the infected spaces with acceptable physiological and cosmetic results. We conclude that thoracoplasty remains a useful procedure in the management of the infected pleural space in select patients.     

Surgical outcome of pulmonary resection in chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis is hazardous and controversial. METHODS: Ten patients (8 men, 2 women; mean age, 50 years) with chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis underwent pulmonary resection between 1989 and 2000. Single segmentectomy or lobectomy, pneumonectomy, or bilobectomy and multisegmentectomy were performed. Clinicopathologic features of these patients were reviewed to clarify the role of surgical intervention for chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis. RESULTS: The mean time from the onset of clinical symptoms to operation was 5.3 years. Surgical intervention was undertaken because of prolonged illness in 4 patients and hemoptysis in 6 patients. All patients survived. Three major complications (1 late empyema, 2 bronchopleural fistulas) occurred in the large dead space in the right pleural cavity. All survivors were free of aspergillosis at a mean follow-up time of 4.8 years, and only 1 patient required antifungal drugs for relapse during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive pulmonary resection in chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis should be considered when patients have prolonged illness or frequent hemoptysis. Empyema and bronchopleural fistula are the main complications. Concomitant thoracoplasty or intrathoracic transposition of the chest wall musculature is recommended in cases involving a large residual pleural cavity on the right side.     

肺癌再切除术的外科疗效分析

目的 通过对60例肺癌再切除手术患者进行回顾性分析，探讨其手术特征、并发症和生存率。方法 自1980年1月至2000年10月，对60例肺癌患者实施肺癌再切除手术，余肺肺癌复发36例，第2次原发性肺癌24例。应用生命表法计算1年、3年、5年生存率。结果 全组无手术及围术期死亡，术后发生并发症26例（43．3％），涉及呼吸系统症状的21例（35％），非呼吸系统5例（8．3％），其中支气管胸膜瘘4例（6．7％），脓胸6例（10％）。随访至2000年10月，术后1年、3年、5年生存率分别为80％、68．3％和38．3％。结论 只有患者条件许可，对肺癌再切除手术应积极主动的态度。     

The Relationship Between Postoperative Empyema and Long-Term Survival after Pneumonectomy. Results of Surgical Treatment of Bronchogenic Carcinoma

In order to present the possible influence of postoperative empyema on the survival rate of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, who had been treated by pneumonectomy, a retrospective investigation was made upon 207 patients over a 10-year period. In patients with and without a complicating postoperative empyema, a cumulative survival rate of 0.04 and 0.26, respectively, was found. The difference was not significant. However, other retrospective investigations on the influence of postoperative empyema on long-term survival after surgical treatment for bronchogenic carcinoma have shown results that might stimulate prospective studies on the subject. Furthermore, this investigation showed that the probability of long-term survival was highest in patients under 60 years of age, when the bronchogenic carcinoma is a planocellular carcinoma located in the left lung without postoperative empyema. Among pneumonectomized lung cancer patients, the mortality was above expectancy, even 8–10 years after operation compared with the estimated survival rate in the average population.     

Factors affecting early and long-term outcomes after completion pneumonectomy

Objective: To identify factors that affect operative mortality and morbidity and long-term survival after completion pneumonectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of consecutive patients who underwent completion pneumonectomy at our cardiothoracic surgery department from January 1996 to December 2005. Results: We identified 69 patients, who accounted for 17.8% of all pneumonectomies during the study period; 22 had benign disease and 47 malignant disease (second primary lung cancer, n = 19; local recurrence, n = 17; or metastasis, n = 11). There were 50 males and 19 females with a mean age of 60 years (range, 29–80 years). Postoperative mortality was 12% and postoperative morbidity 41%. Factors associated with postoperative mortality included obesity (p = 0.005), coronary artery disease (p = 0.03), removal of the right lung (p = 0.02), advanced age (p = 0.02), and renal failure (p < 0.0001). Preoperative renal failure was the only significant risk factor for mortality by multivariate analysis (p = 0.036). Bronchopleural fistula developed in seven patients (10%), with risk factors being removal of the right lung (p = 0.04) and mechanical stump closure (p = 0.03). Overall survival was 65% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years. Long-term survival was not affected by the reason for completion pneumonectomy. Conclusion: Although long-term survival was acceptable, postoperative mortality and morbidity rates remained high, confirming the reputation of completion pneumonectomy as a challenging procedure. Significant comorbidities and removal of the right lung were the main risk factors for postoperative mortality. Improved patient selection and better management of preoperative renal failure may improve the postoperative outcomes of this procedure, which offers a chance for prolonged survival.     

Factors Affecting Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality in Destroyed Lung

Background. The presence of specific risk factors can increase the postoperative complication rate of pneumonectomy for destroyed lung.

Methods. Our experience in 118 consecutive patients who underwent pneumonectomy for destroyed lung over a 10-year period was retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the effect of specific risk factors on postoperative complications. The significance of tuberculosis, right pneumonectomy, preoperative empyema, and duration of illness longer than 36 months was examined by univariate analyses.

Results. The most common underlying diseases were nonspecific bronchiectasis (n = 52) and tuberculosis (n = 43). Sixty-day or in-hospital morbidity and mortality rates were 11.9% and 5.9%, respectively. The combined morbidity and mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with preoperative empyema (p < 0.003), tuberculosis (p < 0.03), and right pneumonectomy (p < 0.03). The prevalence of bronchopleural fistula was higher in patients with preoperative empyema (p < 0.02) and patients with tuberculosis (p < 0.03).

Conclusions. The postoperative complication rate of pneumonectomy for destroyed lung is acceptably low. However, it is increased by preoperative empyema, tuberculosis, and right-sided resection.     

Completion pneumonectomy: current indications, complications, and results

OBJECTIVE: Completion pneumonectomy is reported to be associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially when done in patients with benign disease. We review our 9 years of experience with this operation to evaluate the postoperative outcome and long-term results of various indications. METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 1998, 66 consecutive patients underwent completion pneumonectomy (6.8% of all pneumonectomies), and their cases were retrospectively reviewed. The indication was benign disease in 17 patients and malignant disease in 49 patients. In patients with malignant indications there were 14 local recurrences, 4 second primary tumors, 5 metastatic diseases, and 26 indications because of incomplete initial resection. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative deaths, and the postoperative mortality rate was 7.6%. Complications were encountered in 32 (53%) patients, without any significant difference between benign indication (71%) and malignant indication (47%; P =.0923). Bronchopleural fistula was encountered in 5 (7.6%) patients, and empyema was encountered in 7 (11%) patients. The actuarial 5-year survival was 57% for all patients, 65% for those with benign indications, and 54% for those with malignant indications (60% for local recurrence, 50% for second primary tumor, and 56% for incomplete resection), without any difference between benign and malignant indications (P =.9478). CONCLUSIONS: Completion pneumonectomy can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity, even in patients with benign disease. Patients with preoperative infection can be managed with bronchial stump covering and adequate postoperative drainage. Although complications are common, they can successfully be managed with a proper understanding of them.     

Results of surgical resection for tracheobronchial cancer involving the tracheal carina

Objectives Carinal resection is a technically demanding procedure that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We review our experience of carinal resection and analyze its surgical results. Methods Between 1987 and 2004 a total of 35 patients underwent carinal resection for carcinoma involving tracheal carina. Surgical indications are primary non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 29 patients, recurrence of NSCLC in 5, and tracheal cancer in 1. Operative procedures were divided into two groups: a reconstruction group (modified montage method in 14, one-stoma type in 2, montage type in 1); and a pneumonectomy group (tracheal sleeve in 10, wedge pneumonectomy in 8). Postoperative complications and survival of the two groups were evaluated. Results Three patients died postoperatively (8.5%). Major complications were noted in eight patients (22.8%), including three anastomotic stenoses, two pneumonias with respiratory failure, one dehiscence, one cardiac herniation, and one empyema. Six of these eight patients were in the reconstruction group. The overall survival was 42.5% at 2 years and 28.3% at 5 years. In patients with primary NSCLC, 7 of 16 patients with N0 disease survived more than 5 years, but all 13 patients with N1 or N2 disease died within 3 years. In the pneumonectomy group, 9 of 13 patients died within 2 years. Conclusion Carinal resection for tracheobronchial carcinoma is feasible with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Nodal involvement can be a potential contraindication for carinal resection. Careful selection of patients is crucial, especially when pneumonectomy is required.     

Decortication in chronic pleural empyema - effect on lung function.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the lung function before and after the lung decortication in patients with chronic pleural empyema (CPE). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with diagnosis of CPE were evaluated in a prospective manner by lung perfusion scintigraphy, blood gas analysis and spirometry before and 35 weeks (+/-17) after the lung decortication. RESULTS: Preoperative scintigraphy showed reduction of lung perfusion on the affected side to 24.5% (+/-12.6%) in 11 right side empyemas (predicted value 55%) and to 18% (+/-8%) in 15 left side empyemas (predicted value 45%). The postoperative measurements showed improvement in perfusion to 45.2% (+/-7.7%) in patients with right side empyema and 34.1% (+/-8.5%) with the left side affection. The preoperative vital capacity (VC) was reduced to 62.3% (+/-13.8%) of the predicted value and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) to 50% (+/-15.5%) of the predicted value. Postoperatively, slight improvement was achieved to 79.8 % (+/-12.9%) for VC and 69.2% (+/-12.7%) for FEV1. Blood gas analysis showed decreased values in majority of the patients before operation and significant improvement in postoperative evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Perfusion and spirometry improves significantly in patients with CPE after the lung decortication but function of the affected lung remains impaired. There was no influence of the age, gender, side of the disease, bacteriology or duration of the empyema before operation on lung function.     

Tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma: report of 55 cases

From 1966 to 1986, a total of 55 patients underwent a tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy (53 right and 2 left) for bronchogenic carcinoma. Preoperative radiotherapy was given in only 5 patients. The overall operative death rate was 10.9%, but no patient has died since 1975 (32 survivors). Seven patients had a postoperative empyema (12.7%); 4 of these patients had a bronchopleural fistula. Twenty-five patients had postoperative radiotherapy, 5 of whom also had chemotherapy. The actuarial survival rate, after exclusion of the 6 operative deaths, was 38% at 3 years and 23% at 5 years. Survival was correlated to regional lymph node involvement. The actuarial survival rate among patients with tumoral spread to bronchial lymph nodes was 43% at 3 years. Among the 13 patients with only subcarinal involvement, the actuarial survival rate was 34% at 3 years. None of the 8 patients with paratracheal lymph node involvement survived more than 30 months. These results indicate that tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma with extension to the carina is now fully justified considering the low operative mortality and the good results observed when lateral tracheal lymph nodes were not involved.