Lung Sparing Bronchoplasty of Carcinoid Tumors with Single Lumen ETT in a Limited-Resource Hospital Setting

    


    


    Figure 2: Preoperative CT scan (coronal view) of Case 02, demonstrating mass in trachea and right main bronchus.

    

Left posterolateral thoracotomy was done followed by Bronchotomy of left main bronchus. ETT which was initially placed in the trachea was directed into the right main bronchus for single lung ventilation by the surgeon, with the assistance of the anesthetist.

The tumor was then resected, followed by bronchoplasty to spare lung resection. Post-operatively, the patient had an uneventful recovery, and was discharged after 2 weeks. Further plan was to have regular follow ups of the patient on outpatient basis.

Case 02

35 years’ old female presented with complaints of cough and hemoptysis for the past 5 years, associated with infrequent spells of shortness of breath.

On chest examination, there were decreased breath sounds on the right side. CT scan revealed a well-defined, homogenous soft tissue density mass with lobulated margins measuring 3.1x2.8x1.3cm, seen involving the trachea in the region of carina and right main bronchus, causing widening and obliteration of the lumen of right bronchus.

Bronchoscopy showed a mass arising from the right main bronchus extending up to carina; vascular, bled on touch. Left main bronchus was spared completely. Biopsy was taken which showed it to be a well differentiated carcinoid tumor.

Thoracotomy was done, followed by tracheotomy and bronchotomy of right main bronchus, and the ETT formerly placed in the trachea- just below the vocal cords- was directed into the right main bronchus for single lung ventilation by the surgeon, with the assistance of the anesthetist.

The mass was then resected completely from the trachea and right main bronchus, followed by tracheobronchoplasty to spare lung resection.

Post-operatively, the patient had an uneventful recovery, remained vitally stable and was mobilized early. Patient was called for regular follow ups on outpatient basis.

Discussion

Bronchopulmonary carcinoids constitute up to 25.3% of all carcinoid tumors [2]. Among the spectrum of bronchopulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs), which encompasses small cell lung cancer as its most malignant form, as well as several other forms such as carcinoid lung tumors representing the more benign counterpart [6].

Histologically, typical carcinoid tumors contain “uniform cells with small round to oval nuclei, few nucleoli, and granular eosinophilic cytoplasm [6].” The cells are most commonly in islands interweaving with one another in a mosaic pattern, as interconnecting ribbons of cells in a trabecular pattern, or in an adenopapillary pattern; mixed forms are also seen. In a typical carcinoid, nuclear pleomorphism and mitoses are rare [6].

Typical carcinoid tumors have a 5-year Overall Survival (OS) of 90% to 95% after surgical resection [7,8].Recurrence is seldom seen in patients with typical carcinoids without any nodal involvement [8].

The most favorable 5-year survival rates were found with rectal (88.3%), bronchopulmonary (73.5%), and appendiceal (71.0%) carcinoids; among which the bronchopulmonary carcinoids showed invasive growth or metastatic spread in up to 27.5% of patients [5].

Most patients present with complaints of cough and hemoptysis, with other signs of carcinoid syndrome included in patients with metastasis at the time of presentation.

Detterbeck FC concluded that typical carcinoids are characterized by young age, central tumor, and no nodal enlargement [7].

Surgery is the modality of choice for resectable carcinoid tumors without any metastatic spread. Surgical resection of thesetumors is associated with a survival advantage as compared to nonoperative management [9].

In the past two decades, a lung parenchyma-preserving approach was assumed. Bronchoplastic surgery is being adapted for carcinoids of central origin and minimal resection of one segment or less reserved for peripheral carcinoids. The prognosis of patients in whom a more extensive resection has been done has shown no excessive benefit as compared to a more conservative, lung preserving approach. Locoregional lymph node involvement, or positive resection margins does not have influence on prognosis [10].

In patients with typical bronchial carcinoid, even limited surgery, such as bronchoplastic surgery, has become an accepted treatment modality [10-12].

Okike N. et al reported successful treatment of “typical” carcinoids with simple wedge tracheobronchotomy without lung resection [12].

The optimal method of ventilation should provide sufficient alveolar ventilation and oxygenation, while ensuring unobstructed access to the circumference of the trachea and bronchi for anatomical alignment of an airtight repair [12].

The single-lumen endotracheal tube can be utilized for endobronchial intubation in two ways, which is essential in procedures involving resection of the airway, either by intubating the contralateral main bronchus, or by making use of another anesthesia circuit and intubating through a separate endobronchial tube through the operative site [13].

A double lumen endotracheal tube provides satisfactory ventilation but poses the disadvantage of constrained access to the operative field in carinal surgery. Furthermore, double-lumen tubes have a limited application during major airway surgery [14].

In both reported cases, single lumen ETT was used with confidence, without any adverse events.

References

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