The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 34, 634-639, Copyright © 1982 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Bronchial carcinoma and the lymphatic sump: the importance of bronchoscopic findings
GF Murray, OC Mendes and BR Wilcox
The lymphatic sump of Borrie is an important area of regional node
metastasis in each lung. The sump area is of increased importance on the
right side, since bilobectomy has been recommended to ensure complete
removal of lymphatic disease in patients with lower or middle lobe
carcinoma. The role of bronchoscopy in assessing lymphatic metastasis of
bronchial carcinoma was investigated in 42 patients at the North Carolina
Memorial Hospital. Because of the high incidence of associated lymphatic
metastases, bilobectomy is indicated for right lower or middle lobe lesions
observed at bronchoscopy. Simple lobectomy may be utilized when
bronchoscopic findings are negative and when there is no involvement of the
lymph nodes of the sump of Borrie at the time of operation. If there is
gross nodal involvement of the lymphatic sump, pneumonectomy will be
required.