Extended resection of the pulmonary artery and the aorta for primary lung cancer. Report of a case

We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in which a left pneumonectomy combined resection of the pulmonary artery and aorta was performed using a cardiopulmonary bypass. The bifurcation of the pulmonary artery was repaired with a pericardial patch and the descending aorta was replaced with an artificial vessel. Eleven months later, the patient underwent dissection of the contralateral mediastinal lymph nodes because of a recurrence of the disease. Even though pulmonary metastases have again recently appeared, he is alive and doing well two years after operation. To obtain a better prognosis in cases demonstrating an involvement of the bifurcation of pulmonary artery, more effective combined treatment still needs to be developed.