Ann Thorac Surg 1997;64:1432-1433
© 1997 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Invited Commentary
Invited Commentary
Mikhail I. Perelman, MD
Moscow Medical Academy Russian Centre of Pulmonology 4 Dostoevsky St Moscow 103030, Russia
See also page 1429.
Refaely and Weissberg's experience in surgical treatment of tracheal tumors is rather large and is of interest (22 tracheal resections; the patients were under observation for up to 17 years).
As far as I know the case of wedge resection of the trachea for carcinoid tumor located between an anomalous right tracheal upper lobe bronchus and the main bronchus is described for the first time. It was possible to keep the upper lobe, and the patient had complete long-term recovery.
The patient who had a one-stage procedure for adenoidcystic carcinoma of the lower trachea and involvement of the left main bronchus died. My colleagues and I had a similar sad case. In this connection Refaely and Weissberg prove the expediency of a two-stage procedure in such situations. Today, apparently, such a two-stage procedure really is more safe. However, the progress of surgery should ensure an opportunity for a one-stage procedure. It is necessary to aspire to such a procedure. I know of one such operation that was carried out in Cheliabinsk (the Ural) by Dr Dimitry Giller.
It is necessary also to note that Refaely and Weissberg can provide no information on the usefulness of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with tracheal malignancy.
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Surgical Management of Tracheal Tumors
- Yael Refaely and Dov Weissberg
Ann. Thorac. Surg. 1997 64: 1429-1432.
[Abstract]
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