[Progress of Sublobectomy for the Treatment of Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the Elderly]

[Immediate results of angio- and bronchoplastic lobectomies for non-small cell lung carcinoma in patients over 70 years old]

OBJECTIVE

To study the immediate results of angio- and bronchoplastic lobectomies for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in patients over 70 years old.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-one extended angio- and/or bronchoplastic lobectomies were performed in patients with NSCLC over 70 years old between January 2015 and December 2020. Mean age of patients was 74.5 ± 3.2 years. NSCLC stage IA was found in 5 (16.1%) cases, IB - 11 (35.5%), IIA - 12 (38.7%), IIB - 3 (9.7%) patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 19 (61.3%) patients, adenocarcinoma - in other ones (n=12). All patients had concomitant diseases with predominance of cardiorespiratory pathology. Severity of postoperative complications was assessed according to the Clavien - Dindo grading system.

RESULTS

Mean Charlson index was 5.34 ± 1.46 scores. ASA grade III was observed in 21 patients, grade IV - in 10 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 (38.7%) patients, mortality rate was 6.4%. Prolonged air discharge through pleural drainage tubes (12.9%) and paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (16.1%) were the most common complications. Cardiac arrhythmia is a serious and fatal complication.

CONCLUSION

Anatomical lung resections for NSCLC in patients over 70 years old have certain features of surgical technique and postoperative management. Prevention and prediction of postoperative complications along with rational perioperative management are of priority importance for increasing the safety of these interventions. Angio- and/or bronchoplastic lobectomy should be considered as the only surgical option characterized by high quality and satisfactory immediate results. This procedure is an adequate alternative to pneumonectomy.