Fig 1.
A CONSORT flow diagram of the study.
Fig 2.
Intra-operative images of dissection of the lobar lymph node of the right upper lobe during a right lower lobectomy.
A) The lobar lymph nodes of the right upper lobe were clearly seen with a silk thread passing around the ascending posterior branches. B) The root of the right upper lobar bronchus was explored after dissection of NTBL lobar lymph nodes. (1: right lower lobe; 2: right upper lobe; 3: ascending posterior branches of right pulmonary artery; 4: the lobar lymph nodes of the right upper lobe; 5: the root of the right upper lobar bronchus).
Table 1.
Clinicopathologic characteristics among NSCLC patients stratified by NTBL status.
Table 2.
Distribution of lymph node metastases in 38 positive NTBL patients.
Table 3.
Staging of lymph node metastases in 38 positive NTBL patients.
Table 4.
Multivariable logistic regression analyses evaluating risk factors of non-primary tumor-bearing lobe metastases.
Table 5.
Associations between primary site locations and NTBL metastases.