Background: Studies have revealed that salvage surgery after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for unresectable advanced non-small cell lung cancer improves survival with acceptable surgical adverse events. Few reports exist regarding pneumonectomy or the bronchoplastic procedure in this setting.
Methods: Between 2008 and 2018, 27 patients (21 men; median age, 61 years) underwent salvage surgery after definitive CRT for non-small cell lung cancer. We investigated postoperative short- and long-term outcomes of salvage surgery and aimed to elucidate the feasibility of pneumonectomy or the bronchoplastic procedure.
Results: The median radiation dose was 60 Gy. The median period from the last day for irradiation to the operative day was 8.5 months. Pneumonectomy was performed in 9 patients, including 2 carinal resections; lobectomy was performed in 18 patients, including 5 bronchoplasties. Bronchial wrapping was performed in 9 cases (33%), R0 resection was achieved in 24 (89%), and postoperative complications were detected in 16 (59%). Although bronchopleural fistulas were found in only 2 patients who underwent pneumonectomy, arrhythmia was observed more frequently in patients who underwent the bronchoplastic procedure (P = .05). Regarding major complications, no relationship with any factors were found. The 90-day mortality was 0%. The 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival were 63% and 27%, respectively. R0 resection was a good prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival (P = .001).
Conclusions: Perioperative short- and long-term outcomes of salvage surgery after definitive CRT for non-small cell lung cancer were acceptable. Complete resection offered a better recurrence-free survival. The bronchoplastic procedure or pneumonectomy should be considered as an option even after administration of high-dose CRT.
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