Comparison of surgical outcomes after pneumonectomy and pulmonary function-preserving surgery for non-small cell lung cancer

Background : According to previous reports, lobectomy with bronchoplasty or angioplasty is a more feasible surgery than pneumonectomy for central type non small cell lung cancer. However, few studies have compared both the short and long term outcomes between pneumonectomy and pulmonary function preserving surgery. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2015, 18 patients underwent pneumonectomy (Group PN) and 12 patients underwent pulmonary function preserving surgery (group PS) at Fukushima Medical University Hospital. Clinicopathological factors were statistically compared between the two groups. Results : The operation times in Group PN and Group PS were 285.9 +/- 27.9 and 271.3 +/- 99.2 min, respectively (p=0.613), while the amounts of intraoperative bleeding were 324.8 +/- 248.9 and 164.5 +/- 116.6 g, respectively (p=0.020). The duration of chest drainage and hospitalization after surgery in both groups were not significantly different but there was a tendency toward shorter periods of these durations in Group PS. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate in Group PN and PS was 51.4% and 74.1%, respectively, without a significant difference (p = 0 .298). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in Group PN and PS was 52.5% and 56.6%, respectively, also without a significant difference (p=0.748). The 5-year OS rate was inferior to the 5-year DFS rate in Group PS, and the 5-year OS rate was not better than the 5-year DFS rate in Group PN. Conclusions : The short-term results were better in Group PS than PN. However, the long-term results in both groups were similar. Other causes of death influenced OS in both groups ; this result might have been affected by the surgical procedures.