ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To explore the feasibility of extended resection in selective patients with centrally located lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January, 1987 to December, 2001, lobectomy or pneumonectomy combined with extended resection of trachea, bronchus, heart or great vessels were carried out in 134 patients with centrally located lung cancer. The operations included bronchoplastic procedures in 80 cases, extended resection and reconstruction of left atrium and/or great vessels in 54 cases (32 cases with contemporary bronchoplasty).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Operative death occurred in one case. Postoperative complications happened in 16 cases (11.9%). One hundred and seventeen cases (94.4%) were followed up. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate was 84.7% (61/72), 56.7% (34/60) and 45.7% (21/46) respectively, while of those combined with tracheo bronchoplasty and/or cardiovascular reconstruction, the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate was 69.2% (36/52), 46.8% (22/47) and 22.2% (8/36) respectively. (P < 0.05), while expression of KAI1 mRNA did not relate to mutant P53 protein expression (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Extended resection combined with tracheo-bronchoplasty and/or cardiovascular reconstruction is feasible for selected patients with centrally located lung cancer and could improve the survival and life quality of patients.</p>