Original Article


Translocation of left inferior lobe pulmonary artery to the pulmonary artery trunk for central type non-small cell lung cancers

Yifeng Sun, Yang Yang, Yong Chen, Xufeng Pan, Yu Yang, Wen Gao, Heng Zhao, Jianxin Shi

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to report on a technique for translocation of the left inferior lobar pulmonary artery (PA) to the PA trunk associated with bronchial sleeve resection of the left superior lobe in the treatment of bronchogenic cancer.
Methods: The clinical data of four non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with translocation of the left inferior lobar PA to the PA trunk associated with bronchial sleeve resection of the left superior lobe was retrospectively reviewed between June 13, 2014 and June 8, 2015. A reconstruction of the left pulmonary arteries was performed by translocating the left inferior lobar PA to the PA trunk with end-to-side anastomosis, sleeve resection of bronchus, and systemic lymphadenectomy.
Results: Histology confirmed squamous carcinoma in these four cases. Stage pT3N2M0-IIIA was confirmed in 2 cases, pT3N1M0-IIIA in 1 case, and pT3N0M0-IIB in 1 case. No perioperative deaths or complications were observed. Four patients underwent postoperative chemotherapies, and the end of follow-ups date was Oct. 21, 2015.
Conclusions: Translocation of the left inferior lobar PA to the PA trunk is practicable as a lung-sparing procedure, despite being technically challenging.

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