The bilobectomies for lung cancer

Background. The purpose of our retrospective study is to confirm that bilob ectomy is a feasible operation with an oncological value. Methods. From 1981 to 1998, 46 patients underwent bilobectomy for lung canc er. Eight upper and middle lobectomies (UML) and 38 middle and lower lobect omies (MLL) were performed. Intraoperative pneumoperitoneum was done in 11 MLL. We have considered operative mortality, postoperative complications, t he persistence of drainage tubes and the length of hospital stay and the da ta were statistically compared with those relative to right lobectomies. Su rvival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the curves were compa red with those of the right lobectomies and right pneumonectomies using the log-rank test. Results. Overall morbidity was 43.4%. Mortality was 6.5%. Mean chest tube p ersistence was 7.8 days and mean hospital stay was 14 days. No statistical significance was found about these data comparing the UML and MLL separatel y and the bilobectomies with the right lobectomies. The pneumoperitoneum do ne in the MLL enabled a shorter hospital stay, statistically significant, i n comparison with MLL without pneumoeritoneum. The overall 5-year survival rate was 38%. Considering the I and the II stages no statistical difference s in survival were found considering the right lobectomies and right pneumo nectomies. Conclusions. The bilobectomies can have a role in treatment of lung cancer that is equal to the other standard major resections.