Effect of pulmonary ligament processing methods on the compensatory expansion of residual lung in patients with unilateral right lung cancer treated by thoracoscopic resection of superior lobe of right lung

  Objective  To investigate the effect of pulmonary ligament processing methods on the compensatory expansion of residual lung in patients with unilateral right lung cancer treated by thoracoscopic resection of superior lobe of right lung.

  Methods  Totally 98 patients with unilateral right lung cancer treated by thoracoscopic resection of superior lobe of right lung were randomly divided into two groups. The observation group was treated with the release of inferior pulmonary ligament during operation, while the inferior pulmonary ligament was not performed in control group. The results of pathological examination, operation time, recovery and pulmonary dilatation after operation were compared between the two groups.

  Results  There were no significant differences in operation time, drainage volume, drainage time and average hospitalization time between the two groups (P < 0.05). The compensatory expansion of residual lung within 7 days after operation in observation group was better than that in control group.

  Conclusion  For patients treated by thoracoscopic resection of superior lobe of right lung, loosening the lower pulmonary ligament during operation has a positive effect on compensatory expansion of the residual lung after operation.