Bronchoplasty using continuous suture in complete monitor view: a suitable method of thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Our study aims to determine the value of bronchial anastomosis using complete continuous suture. METHODS: Six patients diagnosed with central lung carcinoma who were candidates for right-sided sleeve lobectomy and underwent sleeve resection of the right upper lobe by thoracoscopic surgical procedure. RESULTS: The mean surgical time was 182 min (range, 110 to 260 min). The mean time of bronchial anastomosis was 49 min (range, 18 to 76 min). The mean bleeding was 110 mL (range, 50 to 260 mL). Median chest tube drainage was 305 mL (range, 200 to 600 mL). No perioperative deaths or major complications occurred. The postoperative bronchoscopy confirmed no stenosis. The mean follow-up time was 19.2 months (range, 7 to 34 months), and six patients were alive. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchial anastomosis using complete continuous suture may be a suitable method in thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy.