What is a bronchovascular sleeve resection?
Bronchovascular sleeve resection is a surgery performed for lung cancer. It is usually performed when the tumor invades the pulmonary artery (the artery carrying blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation), as well as the bronchus. For example, tumors located in the upper left lobe of the lung. The surgery aims to preserve the bronchial blood supply.
During inhalation, air travels through the nose and/or mouth into the trachea (windpipe). The trachea further divides into two tubes called bronchus (bronchi). The bronchi open into the lungs. Within the lungs, the bronchi branch out into smaller tubes called bronchioles. The end of bronchioles opens into little air sacs called alveoli, which aid in gaseous exchange. The alveoli are surrounded by blood vessels, which help exchange gases, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
Why is bronchovascular sleeve resection done?
Bronchovascular sleeve resection is indicated in:
When should bronchovascular sleeve resection not be done?
Contraindications to bronchovascular sleeve resection are as follows:
How is bronchovascular sleeve resection performed?
There are a few stages to having a bronchovascular sleeve resection done, including before, during, and after surgery.
Before the surgery
A surgeon takes a detailed history and performs physical examination and may advise the following tests:
- Chest X-ray
- Chest computed tomography scan with intravenous contrast dye
- Positron emission tomography scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Pulmonary function test
- Lung perfusion quantitation scan
- Evaluation of surrounding lymph nodes
During the surgery
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and there are various surgical approaches to perform bronchovascular sleeve resection. The choice of technique depends on the extent of the disease and the surgeon’s discretion.
- Traditionally, this technique has been performed through an open thoracotomy (open surgery), because of the complex anatomy of the airway. Open surgery also provides easier access to perform reconstruction.
- Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become a popular surgical approach over the past few decades. VATS is less invasive. Small incisions are made on the skin above the chest cavity to insert a thoracoscope (camera with a light source) and surgical instruments. VATS also allows quicker recovery and is associated with lesser postoperative pain than open thoracotomy.
- Robotic-assisted technology is also available to perform bronchovascular sleeve resection.
Following resection of the tumor, the surgeon proceeds to perform bronchial and pulmonary artery reconstruction
After the surgery
Patients are typically monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 24 to 48 hours. Patients require chest physiotherapy. The patient can mobilize within the first 48 hours. Postoperative can be managed with pain killers. Swelling and bruising typically resolve in one to two weeks. The patients typically stay in the hospital for three to seven days after surgery.
What are the complications of bronchovascular sleeve resection?
Some complications encountered during surgery are: