Intraoperative lavage cytologic analysis of surgical margins in patients undergoing limited surgery for lung cancer

Higaki, Nakayama, Higashiyama, Takami, Kodama (left to right)

Lavage cytologic technique of surgical margin in limited surgery for lung cancer. A, When limited surgery was performed with stapler, its fired cartridges were collectively washed in saline solution for lavage cytologic examination. B, When limited surgery was performed with Nd:YAG laser or electric scissors, alone or in combination with stapler, specimen was washed without flooding of pleural surface in saline solution for lavage cytologic examination.

Representative cytologically positive specimens by lavage cytologic technique of surgical margin in limited surgery for lung cancer. A, Adenocarcinoma. B, Squamous cell carcinoma.

Scheme of surgical results of limited surgery according to cytologic status in surgical margin. There were no local recurrences in surgical margins of lesions with cytologically negative results, whereas there was local recurrence in 4 other lesions, including 3 cytologically positive lesions for which surgical mode was not converted and 1 lesion that was cytologically undetermined after additional evaporation.