Uniportal VATS left lower lobectomy: Fissure first technique

This video tutorial describes a left lower lobectomy performed by the uniportal approach. A single 2-cm incision in the lateral chest wall is used as the utility port. The procedure begins with division of the inferior pulmonary ligament and isolation of the inferior pulmonary vein. This patient has densely adherent interlobar nodes, which are then dissected to demonstrate the interlobar pulmonary artery. Then we proceed to divide the anterior part of the fissure after identifying and safeguarding the lingular branches of the pulmonary artery. This step is followed by the division of the posterior part of the fissure after identification of the posterior branches of the pulmonary artery to the upper lobe. Then we identify the basilar trunk and divide it using endostaplers. Other branches of the interlobar artery are clearly identified, and the apicobasal artery is taken separately. This is followed by division of the inferior pulmonary vein and a systematic mediastinal nodal dissection.

Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome revealed after surgery of lung adenocarcinoma

We report a very rare case of cT1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma reveling Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). A 69-year-old nonsmoking woman, with several comorbidities consulted for cough and dyspnea. Chest radiograph and CT scanning detected a left lower lobe mass; Needle biopsy confirmed differentiated adenocarcinoma; 18FDG-PET scan and Brain MRI eliminated metastatic disease dissemination. Our patient underwent a left lower lobectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy (pT1N0M0), no adjuvant chemotherapy was administrated. One month later patient present a muscle weakness in both lower limbs and fatigability followed by an inability to walk. The diagnosis of LEMS was made from the distinctive electromyogram (EMG) findings and a treatment with Amifampridine (3, 4-diaminopyridine phosphate [3, 4-DAP]) was prescribed with evident efficacy for symptoms.

An aberrant mediastinal mediobasal segmental pulmonary artery in a patient with lung cancer undergoing right lower lobectomy: a case report

Background A mediastinal mediobasal segmental pulmonary artery (A7) from the right main pulmonary artery is extremely rare. Case presentation: We have reported a case of a 71-year-old woman with aberrant A7 who underwent right lower lobectomy for lung cancer (cT1bN0M0, stage IA2). Preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed an aberrant mediastinal A7 from the right main pulmonary artery. Right lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were performed. Intraoperatively, A7 was observed between the superior and inferior pulmonary veins, and at the front of the lower bronchus near the anterior hilum. The artery was carefully dissected from the caudal side after dissection of the inferior pulmonary vein. Then, the lung parenchyma, which was within the fissure due to poor lobulation between the middle and lower lobes, was safely divided. Conclusions Thoracic surgeons need to evaluate CT angiography or enhanced multidetector CT carefully at preoperative conferences and always keep this anomaly in mind.

Incidental Benign Giant Pulmonary Chondroid Hamartoma

Hamartomas constitute a small portion of all pulmonary neoplasms. Here we present a case which was found incidentally on CT scan of the abdomen, a rare case of a giant pulmonary hamartoma (PH) was identified in the lower lobe of the left lung. The patient underwent a left exploratory thoracotomy and left lower lobectomy and the lesion was removed and identified as a chondroid hamartoma. The patient recovered successfully and obtained a repeated CT scan in 3 months, which showed no residual disease or recurrence

Stapling of an endobronchial suction tube with the bronchus during robot-assisted right lower lobectomy: a case report

Background Troubleshooting intraoperative complications requires careful management, and the safest technique should be chosen. We recently experienced a unique intraoperative bronchial complication during pulmonary lobectomy in robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). There is no consensus on whether to continue RATS or convert to a more familiar technique, such as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or thoracotomy, for intraoperative complications that occur during RATS, and the decision should be determined individually. Case presentation A 74-year-old woman with primary lung adenocarcinoma (clinical stage IA2) underwent robot-assisted right lower lobectomy under one-lung ventilation and CO2 insufflation. Intraoperatively, the anesthesiologist placed the endobronchial suction tube in the right bronchus with intention of maintaining the right lung collapse, which was simultaneously stapled with the right lower bronchus during the right lower lobe bronchial closure using a robotic stapler. During robot-assisted manipulation, we removed the staples involved with the suction tube, one by one, using robotic-arm forceps and sutured the partially opened stump. Subsequently, the bronchial stump was covered with a pedicled pericardial fat pad. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient developed no complications when followed up 8 months after discharge. Hence, we could rectify this intraoperative bronchial complication using a robot-assisted technique and avoid conversion to VATS or thoracotomy. Conclusion The precise manipulation techniques in RATS contributed to facilitate the successful execution of surgical procedures, such as staple removal and re-suturing of the bronchial stump and may be a useful as a method for such troubleshooting such intraoperative complications.

Simultaneous video-assisted lower lobectomy on the left and coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with peripheral cancer of the lower lobe of the left lung in combination with severe coronary artery stenosis

Сочетание таких болезней, как ишемическая болезнь сердца и рак легких, является проблемой для определения тактики лечения. С одной стороны, наличие злокачественного образования предполагает оперативное лечение в срочном порядке; с другой стороны, наличие коронарной патологии не позволяет выполнить операцию в связи с огромным риском развития осложнений в раннем послеоперационном периоде. Представлен первый в России случай выполнения симультанной операции в объеме комбинированной видеоассистированной нижней лобэктомии слева и аортокоронарного шунтирования. Сначала был выполнен легочный этап операции, так как использование аппарата искусственного кровообращения во время шунтирования требует медикаментозной гипокоагуляции путем введения высоких доз гепарина, что значительно увеличивает риск интраоперационных кровотечений. В отечественной литературе мы не нашли сообщений о подобного рода операциях с использованием эндоскопической техники в лечении больных с сочетанием рака легких и выраженного стеноза коронарных артерий.

Lung cancer with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in a different lobe: a case report

Background Anomalous pulmonary venous connection (APVC) is a congenital malformation in which the pulmonary veins connect to the systemic venous system but not to the left atrium. APVC can be classified as total or partial (PAPVC). PAPVC is rare among surgical patients with lung cancer, and most cases are detected incidentally during surgery. We herein report a patient with lung cancer in whom PAPVC was diagnosed before surgery, which made it difficult to determine the surgical procedure. Case presentation A 71-year-old man was followed-up as an outpatient after surgery for renal cell carcinoma. Chest computed tomography showed a 22-mm nodule in the right lower lobe and PAPVC in the right upper lobe. He was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma (cT1cN0M0 stage IA3) and scheduled for surgery. Preoperative catheterization showed a pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) of 1.64 and mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) of 16 mmHg. Surgical repair of PAPVC is indicated when a patient is symptomatic and has a Qp/Qs ≥1.5–2.0. The patient was scheduled for right lower lobectomy, but postoperative worsening of right heart strain was considered. Concomitant PAPVC repair was therefore considered, but he had no atrial septal defect and was asymptomatic; therefore, PAPVC treatment was considered unnecessary. However, we planned to perform concomitant PAPVC repair if his circulatory dynamics worsened during surgery or if his MPAP exceeded 25 mmHg. His MPAP was 20 mmHg and his circulatory dynamics remained stable, and right lower lobectomy was therefore completed. His postoperative course was favorable. Follow-up catheterization at 6 months showed a Qp/Qs of 1.19 and MPAP of 18 mmHg, with no evidence of increased right heart strain. There was no evidence of right heart failure or recurrence of lung cancer at last follow-up at 18 months after surgery. Conclusions We present a case of right lower lung cancer complicated by PAPVC in the right upper lobe. This case suggests that concomitant repair of PAPVC in the right upper lobe may not be necessary when performing right lower lobectomy, although the patient’s Qp/Qs and MPAP should be considered.