Bronchial carcinoma and the lymphatic sump: the importance of bronchoscopic findings.

The lymphatic sump of Borrie is an important area of regional node metastasis in each lung. The sump area is of increased importance on the right side, since bilobectomy has been recommended to ensure complete removal of lymphatic disease in patients with lower or middle lobe carcinoma. The role of bronchoscopy in assessing lymphatic metastasis of bronchial carcinoma was investigated in 42 patients at the North Carolina Memorial Hospital. Because of the high incidence of associated lymphatic metastases, bilobectomy is indicated for right lower or middle lobe lesions observed at bronchoscopy. Simple lobectomy may be utilized when bronchoscopic findings are negative and when there is no involvement of the lymph nodes of the sump of Borrie at the time of operation. If there is gross nodal involvement of the lymphatic sump, pneumonectomy will be required.