[Fewer lung complications following inspiratory muscle training in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery: a randomized trial]. / Minder longcomplicaties door ademspiertraining bij patiënten die een coronaire bypassoperatie moeten ondergaan: een gerandomiseerde trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of preoperative physiotherapy, including inspiratory muscle training (IMT), on the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in high-risk patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial (www.controlled-trials. com/isrctn17691887). METHOD: Of 655 patients referred to a university medical centre in The Netherlands for elective CABG, 299 met the criteria for being at high risk of developing PPCs. A total of 279 were enrolled and monitored up to discharge from hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either preoperative IMT (n=140) or usual care (n=139). Both groups received the same postoperative treatment. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable at baseline. Before CABG, 2 control group patients and 1 IMT group patient died. After CABG surgery, PPCs were present in 25 (18%) of 139 patients in the IMT group and 48 (35%) of 137 patients in the control group (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30-0.92). Pneumonia occurred in 9 (6.5%) of 139 patients in the IMT group and in 22 (16.1%) of 137 patients in the usual care group (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.84). Mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 7 (range 5-41) days in the IMT group versus 8 (range 6-70) days in the usual care group (Mann-Whitney test; Z: -2.42; p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Preoperative physiotherapy, including IMT, statistically significantly reduced the incidence ofPPCs and the duration ofpostoperative hospitalization in patients at high risk of developing a pulmonary complication on undergoing CABG.

[Favourable long-term results using the unmodified maze procedure in patients with medication-refractory or nearly refractory atrial fibrillation; experience from 1993/'04]. / Gunstige langetermijnresultaten van de originele 'maze'-operatie voor patiënten met medicamenteus moeilijk of niet te behandelen boezemfibrilleren; ervaringen van 1993/'04.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the short- and long-term results following the unmodified maze procedure in patients with medication-refractory or nearly refractory atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analysed preoperatively in-hospital and follow-up data from patients with atrial fibrillation with or without structural heart disease who underwent the unmodified maze procedure in the St. Antonius hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands. RESULTS: In the 11-year period 1993-2004, 203 patients underwent the procedure: 139 underwent the maze procedure only and 64 underwent combined surgery for concomitant atrial fibrillation and structural heart disease. There were no in-hospital deaths. During a mean follow-up period of 4 years, 2 ofthe 203 patients died from cardiac causes; both had undergone combined surgery. With a mean follow-up period of 4 years, the rate of atrial fibrillation-free survival was 90% in patients with lone atrial fibrillation and 70% in patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation. For patients who had no recurrent atrial fibrillation 1 year after surgery, the risk of recurrence after 4 years was small (odds ratio: 9.56). Risk factors for recurrence included a large left atrium and a long duration of atrial fibrillation (more than 5 years). CONCLUSION: The maze procedure was a successful surgical intervention for patients with atrial fibrillation, both in the short and long term. This procedure can be considered when medication and electrical cardioversion are ineffective.

Feasibility of preoperative inspiratory muscle training in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with a high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications: a randomized controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in a pilot study the feasibility and effects of preoperative inspiratory muscle training in patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six patients at high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications were selected. INTERVENTION: The intervention group (N = 14) received 2-4 weeks of preoperative inspiratory muscle training on top of the usual care received by the patients in the control group. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome variables of feasibility were the occurrence of adverse events, and patient satisfaction and motivation. Secondary outcome variables were postoperative pulmonary complications and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The feasibility of inspiratory muscle training was good and no adverse events were observed. Treatment satisfaction and motivation, scored on 10-point scales, were 7.9 (+/- 0.7) and 8.2 (+/- 1.0), respectively. Postoperative atelectasis occurred in significantly fewer patients in the intervention group than in the control group (kappa(2)(DF1) = 3.85; P = 0.05): Length of hospital stay was 7.93 (+/- 1.94) days in the intervention group and 9.92 (+/- 5.78) days in the control group (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Inspiratory muscle training for 2-4 weeks before coronary artery bypass graft surgery was well tolerated by patients at risk of postoperative pulmonary complications and prevented the occurrence of atelectasis in these patients. A larger randomized clinical trial is warranted.

The human adult cardiomyocyte phenotype.

AIM: Determination of the phenotype of adult human atrial and ventricular myocytes based on gene expression and morphology. METHODS: Atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes were obtained from patients undergoing cardiac surgery using a modified isolation procedure. Myocytes were isolated and cultured with or without serum. The relative cell attachment promoting efficiency of several reagents was evaluated and compared. Morphological changes during long-term culture were assessed with phase contrast microscopy, morphometric analysis and immunocytochemistry or RT-PCR of sarcomeric markers including alpha-actinin, myosin light chain-2 (MLC-2) and the adhesion molecule, cadherin. RESULTS: The isolation method produced viable rod-shaped atrial (16.6+/-6.0%, mean+/-S.E.; n=5) and ventricular cells (22.4+/-8.0%, mean+/-S.E.; n=5) in addition to significant numbers of apoptotic and necrotic cells. Cell dedifferentiation was characterized by the loss of sarcomeric structure, condensation and extrusion of sarcomeric proteins. Cells cultured with low serum recovered and assumed a flattened, spread form with two distinct morphologies apparent. Type I cells were large, had extensive sarcolemmal spreading, with stress fibers and nascent myofibrils, whilst type II cells appeared smaller, with more mature myofibril organisation and focal adhesions. CONCLUSION: Characterization of the redifferentiation capabilities of cultured adult cardiac myocytes in culture, provides an important system for comparing cardiomyocytes differentiating from human stem cells and provides the basis for an in vitro transplantation model to study interaction and communication between primary adult and stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

A randomized study of combining maze surgery for atrial fibrillation with mitral valve surgery.

AIM: Mitral valve surgery seldom suppresses atrial fibrillation (AF), present prior to surgery. Maze III surgery eliminates AF in >80% of cases, the reason why combining this procedure with mitral valve surgery in patients with AF seems worthwhile. We prospectively studied the outcome of combining the Maze III procedure with mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with AF and a mean age of 64 years undergoing mitral valve surgery were prospectively randomized according to a 2.5:1 ratio to surgery with (n=25), or without (n=10) maze III and followed for at least 1 year. RESULTS: At discharge and after 12 months freedom from AF was 56% and 92%, respectively, in the maze group, and 0% and 20%, respectively, in patients without maze (group differences at discharge p=0.002, after 12 months p=0.0007). Sinus node incompetence was seen in 1 of 25 maze patients requiring pacing. No in-hospital or late death occurred; stroke was observed in 1 patient (without maze). Quality of life markedly improved after surgery, but did not differ between patients with or without maze surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This first prospective randomized study shows that combining maze III with mitral valve surgery resulted in a significantly better elimination of preoperative AF than mitral valve surgery alone. As the quality of life did not differ between patients with, or without maze surgery, additional maze surgery is primarily recommended in patients in whom anticoagulation therapy can be avoided after surgery, specifically in patients with scheduled mitral valve plasty.

Cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem cells.

Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Cardiac ischaemia caused by oxygen deprivation and subsequent oxygen reperfusion initiates irreversible cell damage, eventually leading to widespread cell death and loss of function. Strategies to regenerate damaged cardiac tissue by cardiomyocyte transplantation may prevent or limit post-infarction cardiac failure. We are searching for methods for inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into transplantable cardiomyocytes. We have already shown that an endoderm-like cell line induced the differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells into immature cardiomyocytes. Preliminary results show that human and mouse embryonic stem cells respond in a similar manner. This study presents initial characterization of these cardiomyocytes and the mouse myocardial infarction model in which we will test their ability to restore cardiac function.

Survival in synchronous vs. single lung cancer: upstaging better reflects prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To define prognostic parameters for patients with synchronous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). DESIGN: Retrospective study of period from 1970 through 1997. PATIENTS: Patients with a single (n = 2,764) and synchronous NSCLC (n = 85) who underwent pulmonary resection. METHODS: All tumors were classified postsurgically, and the tumors of the patients with synchronous lung cancer were staged separately. The most advanced tumor was used for comparison. Actuarial survival time was estimated, and risk factors influencing survival were evaluated. Patients who died within 30 days of surgery were excluded. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: Five-year survival for single NSCLC was 41% and for synchronous lung cancer it was 19%. The relative risk of death for patients with synchronous lung cancer was 1.75, compared to that for patients with single lung cancer. The most advanced tumor in synchronous cancer was a significant predictor of survival (p<0.005). The survival of patients with synchronous lung cancer in which the most advanced tumors were stage I (n = 40) and stage II (n = 27) was not different from that of patients with stage II (n = 834) and stage IIIA (n = 405) single lung cancer, respectively. CONCLUSION: The poorer survival of patients with synchronous NSCLC is confirmed and quantified. The stage of the most advanced tumor was the best predictor of prognosis. The prognosis of patients with synchronous NSCLC resembles the prognosis of patients with a single lung cancer of a higher stage. Upstaging in synchronous lung cancer is recommended on the basis of these observations.

First clinical experience with a mechanical valve with silver coating.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The interface between the annulus and sewing cuff is the infectious center of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). To decrease the incidence of PVE, the sewing cuff of the St. Jude Medical (SJM) mechanical heart valve was permanently coated with elemental silver (Silzone coating). In vitro data have supported the antimicrobial efficacy of this coating. METHODS: To study any adverse effects of the silver coating in humans, serum silver levels were determined (by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry) before (baseline) and at five intervals after operation: day 1, day 3, discharge, one month, and two months. Between January and August 1997, 38 patients (71% males) underwent surgical implant of a SJM Masters Series valve with Silzone coating for the aortic valve (n = 29), mitral valve (n = 6), or both valves (n = 3). Five patients (13%) underwent concomitant procedures. Two patients (5%) presented with native active valve endocarditis. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality or valve-related hospital morbidity. Blood silver concentrations peaked shortly after surgery and then decreased during the postoperative period. Average levels were consistently below 4 parts per billion (ppb). Levels below 10 ppb are considered normal. Follow up was 95% complete. There were no recurrent or new cases of endocarditis. CONCLUSION: These clinical data indicate that the SJM Masters Series valve with Silzone coating performs well. No adverse effects of the silver coating could be detected, and there were no valve-related complications.

[Bilateral blood pressure measurement before and after coronary bypass surgery: an absolute necessity]. / Dubbelzijdige bloeddrukmeting voor en na een coronaire bypassoperatie: een absolute noodzaak.

Anginous symptoms and a difference in blood pressure between the two arms prompted angiography in two patients, men aged 66 and 50 years. The examination revealed coronary sclerosis and a stenosis in the left subclavian artery. The symptoms disappeared after percutaneous dilatation of the subclavian artery, followed by a coronary bypass operation (CABG) using an internal thoracic artery (a branch of the subclavian artery). In two other patients, men aged 61 and 71 years, who had undergone an arterial CABG 12 years previously, anginous symptoms were the manifestation of a narrowed subclavian artery. The symptoms disappeared after balloon dilatation of the subclavian artery and revascularization of the anterior interventricular branch (left artery descendens) and embolization of the internal thoracic artery graft (internal mammarian artery graft), respectively. Stenosis or occlusion of the proximal subclavian artery may attenuate the blood flow in the ipsilateral A. thoracica interna graft. The diagnosis can simply be made by bilateral blood pressure measurement.

Neural cell adhesion molecule expression: prognosis in 889 patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In search of factors that might predict outcome in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we studied the reactivity of monoclonal antibody 123C3. This marker of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation is directed against neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM). Although NCAM can often be demonstrated in small cell lung cancer and carcinoids as a tumor antigen, not many data exist on NCAM in NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1983 through 1995, in 889 patients with NSCLC, who underwent pulmonary resection, 123C3 reactivity was tested. NCAM was correlated with tumor histology, p-TNM stage, and 5-year survival. Large cell NE carcinomas were excluded. Monoclonal antibody-1 (MOC-1) was also tested on most specimens. RESULTS: Reactivity of 123C3 does not correlate with tumor histology, p-TNM stage, or 5-year survival. In addition, MOC-1 reactivity was not significantly related to prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Positive reactivity with 123C3, indicating NE differentiation, does not have predictive value in NSCLC. Also, tumor histology or stage did not correlate with 123C3 reactivity. Reactivity of MOC-1 did not contribute to prediction of prognosis. Whether there is more chemosensitivity in NSCLC-NE than in NSCLC without NE differentiation remains an important question that is not addressed by our present study.

Surgery for combined type small cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Combined type small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has been reported to occur in, at most, 1% of all cases of SCLC. These tumours consist of SCLC with a component of squamous cell carcinoma and/or adenocarcinoma. The survival of patients with combined and pure SCLC after surgical resection was assessed. METHODS: From 1977 to 1994 2115 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma underwent pulmonary resection. From this group 26 patients (1.2%) were diagnosed as having combined SCLC and 74 patients (3.5%) as having pure SCLC. RESULTS: From the 26 patients with combined SCLC (mean age 66.4 years) three were classified as pT1N0M0, eight as pT2N0M0, four as postoperative stage II, and 11 as postoperative stage III. Histological examination showed a component of squamous cell carcinoma in 21 patients. There were 18 (69%) lobectomies, seven (27%) pneumonectomies, and one (4%) segmentectomy. In all patients surgery was thought to be curative. Overall hospital mortality was 4% (n = 1). Cumulative five year survival was 31% for all hospital survivors with combined SCLC postoperative stage I, 50% for those with pT1N0M0, and 25% for those with pT2N0M0 disease. No patients with postoperative stage II and III disease survived for five years. In the 74 patients with pure SCLC hospital mortality was 3% (n = 2); cumulative five year survival was 39% in patients with postoperative stage I disease, 46% for those with pT1N0M0 and 35% for those with pT2N0M0. When compared with pure SCLC, no significant differences in five year survival were evident in patients with postoperative stage I disease. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection in patients with combined SCLC postoperative stage I yields a cumulative five year survival of 31% while for those with stage II and III disease there were no survivors at five years. In patients with stage I combined or pure SCLC surgery can offer a long term disease free interval or may even be curative.

Stenting of "unprotected" left main coronary artery stenoses: early and late results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess short and long term efficacy of coronary stent implantation for unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis. DESIGN: Retrospective follow up study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre for interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery. PATIENTS: Eighteen consecutive patients (12 men; age 70.8 years) between May 1993 and July 1996. Ten patients presented with stable angina and underwent the procedure electively, eight patients presented either with unstable angina or myocardial infarction and underwent the procedure in emergency. INTERVENTION: Johnson and Johnson Palmaz-Schatz stents were used in 16 patients, and a Microstent and a Gianturco-Roubin in one patient each. An intra-aortic balloon pump was prophylactively used for two patients in the elective group. In the acute group, six required an intra-aortic balloon pump. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Procedural success rate and major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: Successful stent implantation was achieved in all patients. In the elective group, no major adverse cardiac event occurred during the procedure, but one patient had to undergo repeated angioplasty before discharge. All patients of the elective group were discharged alive and there has been one non-cardiac death during a follow up of (mean (SD)) 10 (4) months. In the emergency group, one patient died during the procedure, one patient developed a non Q-wave myocardial infarction, one patient underwent emergency coronary bypass surgery, while another patient died suddenly before hospital discharge. Six patients of the emergency group were discharged alive and there has been one non-cardiac death during a follow up of 7 (4) months. CONCLUSIONS: Elective stent implantation for unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis is safe and effective in selected stable patients. Urgent stent implantation, however, cannot be considered as a definitive procedure in emergency situation.

Survival in resected stage I lung cancer with residual tumor at the bronchial resection margin.

BACKGROUND: Sometimes microscopic residual tumor is found at the bronchial resection margin despite an apparently complete resection of lung cancer. This may adversely affect the patient's prognosis. Its impact on survival is unclear. METHODS: The records of 834 patients with resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer were studied. Patients with complete resection were assigned to the complete resection group (n = 802); patients with microscopic residual tumor at the bronchial resection margin that was accepted were assigned to the residual tumor group (n = 23). Residual tumor was classified as carcinoma in situ, mucosal residual disease, or peribronchial residual disease. RESULTS: The 5-year survival in the patients in the complete resection group was 54%; it was 58% in the residual tumor group with carcinoma in situ and 27.3% in the residual tumor group with invasive tumor (mucosal residual disease or peribronchial residual disease). The difference in survival between patients in the complete resection group and patients in the residual tumor group with invasive tumor was significant (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of mucosal or peribronchial residual disease, but not carcinoma in situ, at the bronchial resection margin in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer has an adverse effect on survival.

Aortic root replacement with human tissue valves in aortic valve endocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic allograft and pulmonary autograft aortic root replacement in native and prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis are evaluated and risk factors for hospital death are assessed by univariate risk factor analysis. METHODS: From April 1989 to May 1996, 59 patients with aortic valve endocarditis (27 native; 32 prosthetic) underwent aortic root replacement with a human tissue valve. Mean age was 53.4 +/- 12.3 years; 46 patients (78%) were male. The mean preoperative NYHA functional class was 3.4. The predominant infective organisms were streptococci (30%) in the native valve group and staphylococci (30%) in the prosthetic valve group. In native valve endocarditis, valve destruction (32%) was the predominant finding. Abscesses, either annular (29%) or subannular (36%) and valve dehiscence (36%) were the most common findings in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. Partial or total ventriculo-aortic discontinuity (20%) and aortico-mitral discontinuity (27%) were other important operative observations. A cryopreserved allograft was used in 53 patients (89.5%), the pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure) in 5 patients (8.5%), and a fresh antibiotic sterilized allograft root in one patient (2%). Mean aortic cross-clamp time was 131 +/- 32 min. In active native and prosthetic valve endocarditis, intravenous antibiotics were continued for at least 6 weeks, monitored by serial CRP measurements. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 8.5% (n = 5; 70% CL: 4.9-12.1%). Univariate risk factors for hospital mortality were age (P = 0.001), preoperative New York Heart Association functional class (P = 0.001), pre- (P = 0.001) and postoperative (P = 0.001) renal insufficiency. Major complications were allograft failure (n = 1; 2%), technical failure (n = 1; 2%) and false aneurysm formation at the proximal suture line (n = 1; 2%). Follow-up was complete, mean 33.1 +/- 20.1 months. Two late deaths occurred. Actuarial five year survival was 88.8% (70% CL: 80.0-97.5%); actuarial five year freedom from recurrent endocarditis was 98.1% (70% CL: 94.5-100%). CONCLUSION: Allograft aortic root replacement is a valuable technique in the life threatening situations both of native and prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis with involvement of the annular and peri-annular region.

Lymph node type as a prognostic factor for survival in T2 N1 M0 non-small cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with stage II non-small cell lung carcinoma represent a group with varying 5-year survival rates. The influence of specific types of lymph node involvement on survival was investigated. METHODS: Of 2,009 patients operated on from 1977 through 1993, the cases of 391 patients with pathologic T2 N1 M0 disease were reviewed. The N1 status was refined into lymph node involvement by direct extension or by metastases in lobar or hilar lymph nodes. RESULTS: The cumulative 5-year survival rate of all hospital survivors (n = 369) was 37.8%. The 5-year survival rate of patients with lobar metastases was superior to that of patients with hilar metastases (57.3% versus 30.3%; p = 0.0028) and that of patients with lymph node involvement by direct extension (57.3% versus 39.1%; p = 0.03). The survival rate did not differ between those with hilar metastases and those with direct extension. Survival was significantly poorer in patients with visceral pleural involvement, in patients with adenocarcinoma, and in patients older than 60 years. Survival was not related to sex, type of resection, central growth, or tumor size. CONCLUSIONS: Survival differs according to the type of lymph node involvement: lobar lymph node metastasis seems to be an early stage of the disease, whereas hilar lymph node metastasis represents a more advanced form. However, in T2 N1 M0 disease, other factors besides nodal status also seem to play an important role in postoperative survival.

Percutaneous occlusion of the entry to a leaking false aneurysm after ascending aortic replacement for aortic dissection type A facilitating surgical repair.

A leaking false aneurysm occurred after ascending aortic replacement for aortic dissection type A. Percutaneous balloonocclusion of the entry to the false aneurysm facilitated elective surgical repair.

Reoperative aortic root surgery late after use of histo-acryl.

Cardiovascular reoperations after the use of histo-acryl are extremely rare. A patient is described, who underwent an aortic root replacement according to Bentall's technique, for a postdissectional aneurysm. At that time, to achieve hemostasis, histo-acryl adhesive was applied and a Cabrol's fistula was created. Fourteen years later, a recurrent 'false', aneurysm had developed and the fistula had a hemodynamically significant left-right shunt. At reoperation, the composite graft was replaced by a cryopreserved aortic root allograft with long coronary arteries. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a cardiovascular reoperation after previous use of histo-acryl. This patient also merits attention as to the fact that it illustrates a failure of a modified Cabrol's procedure.

Type of lymph node involvement influences survival rates in T1N1M0 non-small cell lung carcinoma. Lymph node involvement by direct extension compared with lobar and hilar node metastases.

Stage II non-small cell lung cancer represents a group of patients with varying 5-year survival rates. Of 2,009 patients, we reviewed 58 patients with pT1N1M0 disease operated on from 1977 through 1994. The N1 status was refined into lymph node involvement by direct extension and/or involvement by metastases (lobar or hilar). The cumulative 5-year survival of all hospital survivors (n = 57) was 45.7%. The 5-year survival of patients with N1 direct extension was superior to survival of patients with N1 metastases (68.6% vs 31.2%; p = 0.0038). Survival of patients with N1 direct extension was better then survival of patients with N1 hilar metastases (p = 0.0006), but did not differ from survival of patients with lobar metastases. Survival was not related to histologic features, sex, and type of resection. Recurrence of malignancy occurred less in patients with N1 direct extension. In patients with N1 hilar nodes, the most common pattern was distant metastases. Survival differs according to the type of lymph node involvement: "direct extension" seems to be an early stage of the disease, while lymph node metastases represent a more advanced form.

Results of resection of T3 non-small cell lung cancer invading the mediastinum or main bronchus.

BACKGROUND: T3 tumors can be divided into several subgroups. Surgical treatment of T3 tumors with chest wall invasion results in good survival. This study shows the results of resection of T3 non-small cell tumors located in the main bronchus or with invasion of mediastinal structures. METHODS: From 1977 through 1993, 108 patients underwent resection for primary non-small cell carcinomas located in the main bronchus or with invasion of mediastinal structures. A complete resection was performed in 70 patients (64.8%). Actuarial survival time was estimated and risk factors for late death were identified. RESULTS: Overall hospital mortality was 8.3%. All deaths followed pneumonectomy. Mean 5-year survival was 29% for all hospital survivors, 35% for patients with complete resection, and 18% for patients with incomplete resection (p = 0.03). In patients with complete resection, mean 5-year survival was 45% for N0 patients and 37% for N1 patients. There were no 5-year survivors in the group of N2 patients. The mean 5-year survival was greater (but not statistically significantly greater) in patients with tumors located in the main bronchus (40%) than in patients with tumors with invasion of mediastinal structures (25%) (p > 0.05). Histology, tumor spill, age, sex, and type of operative procedure were not significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with tumors located in the main bronchus have a better survival than patients with invasion of the mediastinal structures. Pneumonectomy increases hospital mortality. Incompleteness of resection and mediastinal lymph node involvement influence survival significantly.