Fig. 4

Through posterolateral thoracotomy, pulmonary vessels were divided and standard nodal dissection was completed. Then, right main bronchus and bronchus intermedius were exposed (left upper). Proximal transection of the main bronchus was performed (right upper), and the bronchial stent was removed (left lower). After distal transection of the bronchus intermedius and pathological confirmation of no malignant cells at the proximal and distal bronchial stumps, the bronchial ends were anastomosed end-to-end with interrupted 4–0 polydioxanone sutures (right lower)