Refinement in techniques of tracheal surgery and bronchial sleeve lobectomy has made carinal resection and reconstruction possible. However, the potential for complications remains high, and only a few centers have accumulated sufficient expertise to safely perform the operation.
Results from recent series demonstrate that carinal resection is safe in experienced centers, with an operative mortality rate of less than 10%, and can be associated with good to excellent long-term survival in selected patients. The current results are considerably better than those from earlier reported series and most likely reflect the improvements in surgical and anesthetic techniques. Careful patient selection and detailed evaluation are also important requirements for good surgical results.
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