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What Is Bronchial Sleeve Resection?

Bronchial sleeve resection is surgery to remove a diseased section of a bronchus, one of the airways leading into the lungs. The surgeon joins the remaining airway ends to restore a passage for air. Depending on the condition, a lung lobe may also be removed while other lung tissue is preserved.

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What Is Bronchial Sleeve Resection?

Bronchial sleeve resection is surgery to remove a diseased section of a bronchus, one of the airways leading into the lungs. The surgeon joins the remaining airway ends to restore a passage for air. Depending on the condition, a lung lobe may also be removed while other lung tissue is preserved.

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When Is Bronchial Sleeve Resection Considered?

The operation may be considered for a tumor or other disease involving a central airway. The surgeon assesses whether the affected section can be removed and the remaining airway safely reconnected. Lung function and the extent of disease help determine whether a lung-sparing operation is possible.

How Is the Airway Reconstructed?

The surgeon removes the involved bronchial segment and, when needed, the affected lung lobe. The healthy airway ends are sewn together to form a new connection. The team checks the connection and monitors the remaining lung as it expands.

What Happens During Recovery?

Hospital care includes monitoring breathing, pain, and the healing airway connection. Chest drainage, breathing exercises, and walking may be part of recovery when lung tissue was also removed. Follow-up may include imaging or bronchoscopy to assess the airway.

What Are the Risks and Limitations?

Risks include bleeding, infection, pneumonia, and breathing problems. The airway connection can leak or become narrowed by scar tissue. More lung tissue may need to be removed if the disease cannot be treated with the planned sleeve resection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bronchial Sleeve Resection

Does bronchial sleeve resection always remove a lung lobe?

No. Some operations remove only a section of airway. A sleeve lobectomy removes a lobe along with the affected part of the bronchus.

Why reconnect the bronchus?

Joining the healthy airway ends allows air to reach the lung tissue that remains. This can preserve lung tissue that would otherwise need removal.

Is this the same as removing an entire lung?

No. Removal of an entire lung is called pneumonectomy. A sleeve resection is planned to preserve suitable lung tissue when possible.

Can the repaired airway narrow later?

Yes. Scar tissue can narrow the connection after it heals. The surgical team may use bronchoscopy or imaging to investigate new breathing symptoms.

References

Bronchial sleeve resections. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10852205/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Bronchovascular sleeve resection. Technique, perioperative management, prevention, and treatment of complications. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8321007/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Mainstem bronchial sleeve resection with pulmonary preservation. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8633959/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Standard and extended sleeve resections of the tracheobronchial tree. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7656394/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Techniques and outcomes of bronchoplastic and sleeve resection: an 8-year single-center experience. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8743513/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.