Sleeve lobectomy, segmentectomy, and thoracoscopy in the management of carcinoma of the lung.

In patients with lung cancer, the goals of limited resection procedures of the lung and major airways are to provide an adequate cancer operation while preserving functioning lung tissue. Discussed in this article are sleeve lobectomy, an alternative to pneumonectomy in patients with cancer in a lobar orifice; segmentectomy or wedge resection, an alternative to lobectomy in those with a peripheral lung cancer; and thoracoscopy, an alternative to open thoracotomy for various chest malignancies.