Sleeve Resection

Sleeve resection is an operation used for tumors or diseases that are not amenable to simple lobectomy, because the tumor involves the origin of a lobar bronchus. The goal of a sleeve resection is to avoid a pneumonectomy and its risks. To accomplish this, the involved lobe is removed and the ends of the bronchus are rejoined and any remaining lobes are reattached to the bronchus. The sleeve resection therefore, spares uninvolved lung and maintains more respiratory function. Sleeve resections based upon their complexity require a traditional open thoracotomy approach.