Three-dimensional computed tomography for lung cancer in a patient with three right vein ostia

Some variations in pulmonary vein anatomy can have serious consequences in patients undergoing lung surgery, but clinicians rarely encounter patients with these variations. We report here a thoracoscopic lobectomy for right lung cancer in a patient with three right vein ostia. Preoperative review of three-dimensional 64-row multidetector computed tomography (3D-MDCT) of the patient showed a variation that was not confirmed in transverse plane computed tomography films. However, the variant anomaly was confirmed during thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 10. Preoperative 3D-MDCT of the pulmonary vein produced a precise preoperative simulation for the surgeon and clearly showed the orientation of the patient’s vascular variant during surgery. This imaging technology contributes to safer thoracic surgery, especially thoracoscopic surgery.     

Pulmonary vein analysis using three-dimensional computed tomography angiography for thoracic surgery

Objective  

Little information is available regarding the variations in pulmonary vein anatomy for the purpose of thoracic or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). To learn about the types and frequency of pulmonary vein variations for VATS, we reviewed a “tailor-made virtual lung” of patients that was constructed using three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (3D-MDCT) angiography.     

Importance of preoperative imaging with 64-row three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography for safer video-assisted thoracic surgery in lung cancer

Purpose

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has recently been adopted for complicated anatomical lung resections. During these thoracoscopic procedures, surgeons view the operative field on a two-dimensional (2-D) video monitor and cannot palpate the organ directly, thus frequently encountering anatomical difficulties. This study aimed to estimate the usefulness of preoperative three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of thoracic organs.

Methods

We compared the preoperative 64-row three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (3DMDCT) findings of lung cancer-affected thoracic organs to the operative findings.

Results

In comparison to the operative findings, the branches of pulmonary arteries, veins, and bronchi were well defined in the 3D-MDCT images of 27 patients.

Conclusion

3D-MDCT imaging is useful for preoperatively understanding the individual thoracic anatomy in lung cancer surgery. This modality can therefore contribute to safer anatomical pulmonary operations, especially in VATS.     

Preoperative evaluation of a tracheal bronchus by three-dimensional 64-row multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) bronchography and angiography: Report of a case

We performed successful surgery for lung cancer after confirming the anatomical abnormality of a tracheal bronchus by three-dimensional multidetector-row computed tomography (3D-MDCT) bronchography and angiography. Tracheal bronchus is unusual, and right upper lobectomy for lung cancer would rarely be performed in a patient with a tracheal bronchus. Most clinicians are unfamiliar with the anatomy of a right upper lobe that includes a tracheal bronchus. Preoperative 3D imaging of the tracheal bronchus and its related vessels familiarized us with the anatomy of this patient before the operation. Thus, we recommend preoperative 3DMDCT bronchography and angiography, especially for patients with a possible bronchial anomaly.     

Video-assisted thoracic resection for intralobar pulmonary sequestration

We present a case in which video-assisted thoracic resection for intralobar pulmonary sequestration (ILPS) was successfully performed. A 36-year-old woman had repeated pneumonia. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a round mass in the right lower lobe of the lung. Subsequent three-dimensional CT revealed that a large anomalous artery arising from the descending thoracic aorta was distributing to the posterior basal segment containing the lesion and was draining into the inferior pulmonary vein. The patient was diagnosed with ILPS and underwent surgery. The anomalous artery was divided, and the sequestered segment was completely resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We think that VATS resection for ILPS is feasible and is a major therapeutic option as noninvasive surgery.     

Re-anastomosis of the anomalous segmental pulmonary vein during inferior bilobectomy

An anomalous pulmonary vein anatomy could represent a challenge for the thoracic surgeon. In these cases, the incidence of complications during lung surgery is increased, especially the need to perform a pneumonectomy due to a wrong section of the vascular elements. All attempts to reduce this risk must be undertaken, including techniques to restore normal venous drainage. We present a case of re-anastomosis of the posterior segmental vein of the right upper lobe draining into the lower pulmonary vein during a right lower bilobectomy for lung cancer.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer in a patient with complete situs inversus

Complete situs inversus is a rare abnormality of autosomal recessive inheritance; it requires particular care during surgery, because the viscus anatomy is a mirror image of the normal anatomy. Reports of surgery for lung cancer in cases of complete situs inversus are very rare. Here, we report a case of lobectomy for lung cancer of the right lower lobe performed using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in a patient with complete situs inversus. We emphasize the importance of careful examination of the relationship between the bronchus, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary vein in the hilum of the lung in cases of complete situs inversus requiring lung resection for cancer; this is even more necessary when VATS is performed.     

An anomalous segmental vein of the left upper lobe of the lung: preoperative identification by three-dimensional computed tomography pulmonary angiography

A number of variations in the pulmonary arteries and veins have been documented, and the information is very important for performing a safe lung resection. This report describes a case of an anomalous segmental vein of the left upper lobe of the lung. The patient was a 75-year old male who was suspected to have lung cancer in the left upper lobe. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a vessel behind the left lower bronchus. A three-dimensional computed tomography angiography demonstrated that it was an anomalous vein for the apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe of the lung, draining into the left inferior pulmonary vein. The aberrant vein was readily identified during surgery and was divided without injury, and a left upper lobectomy was successfully performed. Aberrant pulmonary veins for the superior segment of the right upper lobe of the lung are rarely observed, and the same kind of anomaly on the left side has not been reported.     

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in right lung cancer: Report of a case

A partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is an uncommon congenital anomaly which is frequently associated with congenital heart disease such as an atrial-level shunt. This report documents the case of an 81-year-old man with PAPVC which was incidentally discovered during a right upper lobectomy for lung cancer. Surgery was performed through a minithoracotomy of an auscultatory triangle using a video-assisted procedure (video-assisted thoracic surgery: VATS). Although the ramus lobi medii was connected normally, the right superior lobe vein was found to drain into the superior vena cava. The surgery was successful, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Asymptomatic PAPVC without an atrial septal defect (ASD) is extremely rare. If the PAPVC is located in a different lobe, a pulmonary resection for lung cancer would precipitate an adverse outcome without a correction of the PAPVC. Surgeons should therefore be cautious regarding the potential existence of a PAPVC when a patient undergoes surgical procedures, especially VATS, for lung cancer.     

Metastatic lung tumor: report of two cases

We herein report 2 cases of metastatic lung tumor. The first case was a 59-year-old female, who had undergone a left radical mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer 18 years before. She was found to have a pulmonary nodule in the left lower lobe on the routine chest radiograph. She underwent a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) partial resection of the left lower lobe. Tumor was diagnosed as a lung metastasis of the breast cancer microscopically. The second case was a 77-year-old man, who had undergone a right nephrectomy for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. He was found to have 2 nodules in the right lung (1 in the middle lobe and the other in the lower lobe) on the follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. He underwent VATS partial resections of the right middle and lower lobes. While the tumor in the lower lobe was diagnosed as a lung metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma, the tumor in the middle lobe turned out a primary lung cancer.     

Thoracoscopic lobectomy for treating cancer in a patient with an unusual vein anomaly

Various anatomical variants in pulmonary veins can have a serious effect on patients undergoing lung surgery. We present a case of a patient with an unusual pulmonary vein variation. Preoperative review of the patient's three-dimensional 64-row multidetector computed tomography imaging allowed us precise simulation and good orientation of the patient's vascular variant anatomy during surgery. Upper lobectomy through thoracoscopic approach was performed successfully in the case where the middle lobe vein might have been divided without preoperative anatomical evaluation by 3D CT images.     

单向四孔法全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗非小细胞肺癌的临床研究

目的探讨单向4孔法全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗非小细胞肺癌的可行性、安全性。方法回顾性分析2007年1月至2010年12月上海市胸科医院采用单向式全胸腔镜肺叶切除治疗428例非小细胞肺癌患者的临床资料,其中男186例,女242例;年龄33～78岁。术前临床诊断为早期非小细胞肺癌。428例中行右肺上叶切除134例,右肺中叶切除48例,右肺下叶切除98例,右肺中下叶切除4例,左肺上叶切除72例,左肺下叶切除72例。将428例患者按手术方式分为单向3孔法组(300例)和单向4孔法组(128例);比较两组的临床效果。结果412例在全胸腔镜下完成肺叶切除术,16例中转常规开胸手术(中转开胸比率3.7%)。平均手术时间132.1(120～180)min,平均手术切口长度3.7(3～5)cm,平均术中出血量150.0(50～800)ml;两组患者平均拔管时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间差异均无统计学意义,但4孔法组较3孔法组手术时间缩短,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。16例中转开胸患者接受术中输血。死亡5例,于术后1个月内分别死于严重肺部感染、肺栓塞和急性脑梗死。术后病理诊断:鳞状细胞癌52例,腺癌340例,腺鳞癌20例,低分化癌8例,大细胞癌6例,类癌2例。术后出现持续肺漏气4例,脓胸2例,肺部感染4例,心律失常26例,肺栓塞2例,乳糜胸2例,急性脑梗死2例。3年总生存率为83.6%(358/428)。结论单向式4孔法全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗非小细胞肺癌的有效性和安全性满意,符合肺癌手术的治疗规范。单向4孔法还能大大提高手术流畅程度和淋巴结清扫程度。     

Pulmonary vein thrombosis after bilobectomy and development of collateral circulation

Pulmonary vein thrombosis is a rare but potentially life threatening complication following lobectomy or bilobectomy. We present a case of right upper pulmonary vein thrombosis after a middle and lower lobectomy diagnosed at transoesophageal echocardiography. The patient was treated with antibiotics and anticoagulation with good recovery. Pulmonary angiography was performed 35 days after surgery and revealed the venous return of the right lung through the intercostal veins. Despite double venous drainage of the lungs consisting of bronchial and pulmonary veins, pulmonary to systemic collaterals following pulmonary vein thrombosis have not previously been reported. The development of this shunt can prevent gangrene, and surgical resection of the lung segment involved can be avoided.     

Availability of lobe-selective bronchial blockade for video-assisted thoracic surgery

Background: Stable oxygenation and sufficient collapse of the lung are essential for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We performed the lobe-selective lung collapse technique with VATS for patients who had deteriorated lung function. Methods and Results: Case 1: A 75-year-old man who had undergone thoracoplasty showed spontaneous pneumothoraces in the contralateral side. Bullae were stapled successfully under complete isolation and collapse of diseased lobe. Case 2: A 57-year-old woman who had undergone left lower lobectomy for lung cancer presented with another lung cancer in the right lower lobe. The right lower lobe bronchus was closed selectively, and basal segmentectomy was performed. Case 3: A 60-year-old woman who had lost left lung function presented with right-side spontaneous pneumothoraces. The right upper lobe was collapsed selectively, and bullectomy was performed. Conclusion: Lobe-selective bronchial blockade may be beneficial when VATS is performed for selected patients with deteriorated lung function.     

肺隔离症4例诊治体会及文献复习

目的 探讨肺隔离症的诊断和治疗策略。方法 2017年7月至2019年6月收治的4例肺隔离症患者,3例患者行胸腔镜手术治疗,1例行介入下血管塞封堵迷走供血动脉,对其诊治过程和临床资料进行回顾性分析,总结诊治过程中的体会。结果 4例肺隔离症患者均接受治疗,1例患者接受介入下血管塞封堵迷走供血动脉后恢复顺利;1例患者胸腔镜下肺叶切除术后恢复顺利;2例患者接受胸腔镜下隔离肺叶切除术,其中1例恢复顺利,1例因胸腔进行性出血行胸腔镜下开胸止血术,后恢复顺利。术后3月复查胸部螺旋计算机体层摄影血管造影显示,3例行胸腔镜下隔离肺叶或肺叶切除手术患者的异常肺叶及供血动脉消失,行介入下血管塞封堵异常血管的1例患者的迷走供血动脉被栓塞,栓塞血管远端已无血流供应,隔离肺组织充血表现较前明显好转,4例患者随访7~31个月,未见复发。在手术时间、术中出血量、术后疼痛、术后胸腔闭式引流量、术后并发症、住院时间及住院费用等方面,介入栓塞治疗均优于胸腔镜手术治疗。结论 胸腔镜手术是目前处理肺隔离症的主要方式,介入栓塞治疗肺隔离症同样是一种安全、有效、微创的治疗方法,尤其对以咯血为主要症状,凝血功能异常且病情较重者效果佳。     

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection showing an unusual shape of the pulmonary vein successfully repaired in a neonate; report of a case

A 10-day-old neonate with Darling type Ia of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is presented. The left pulmonary vein entered the right thoracic cavity behind the right atrium and drained into the innominate vein together with the right lower, middle and upper pulmonary veins. The patient was treated with right-sided approach. The postoperative course was uneventful. To our knowledge, this case is the first successful correction of this subtype of anomaly in Japan.     

Changes in right ventricular performance in elderly patients who underwent lobectomy using video-assisted thoracic surgery for primary lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Even though lobectomy using video-assisted thoracic surgery for primary lung cancer has been reported to be beneficial in terms of the perioperative outcome, changes in the right ventricular performance have not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery is also advantageous with respect to the right ventricular performance in elderly patients who are 70 years old or older. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (mean age: 76 years) who underwent lobectomy using video-assisted thoracic surgery (Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Group), and 10 patients (mean age: 76 years) who underwent lobectomy using a standard thoracotomy as a historical control group (Standard Thoracotomy Group) were studied. The hemodynamics and right ventricular ejection fraction were evaluated preoperatively, and at 6, 12, 24, and at 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperative values were expressed as a percentage of the preoperative values. The systemic vascular resistance index decreased to a greater extent in the Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Group than in the Standard Thoracotomy Group. The pulmonary arteriolar resistance index at 24 hours postoperation tended to be higher in the Standard Thoracotomy Group than in the Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Group. The stroke index, cardiac index, and right ventricular ejection fraction at 24 hours postoperation were each significantly higher in the Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Group than in the Standard Thoracotomy Group. CONCLUSION: Lobectomy using video-assisted thoracic surgery for elderly patients offers not only beneficial effects in the right ventricular afterload but also acceleration in the expected compensatory hyperdynamics during the acute postoperative phase.     

Obstacles for shortening hospitalization after video-assisted pulmonary resection for lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer facilitates early postoperative recovery when patients are treated by critical pathway management. Thus, we developed an original programmed regimen for postoperative management, evaluated the validity of this regimen, and analyzed clinical factors influencing postoperative recovery. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients with suspicious lung cancer undergoing anatomic pulmonary resection with video-assisted thoracic surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. After surgery, all patients who underwent anatomic resection were managed using our programmed regimen; a patient was considered recovered when the regimen had been completed. RESULTS: On final pathologic examination, 37 cases were determined to have lung cancer and underwent anatomic resection. The mean number of resected segments was 3.6. There were no complications caused by postoperative management. The mean day of postoperative recovery was 3.7 days and median, 3 days. Significant preoperative factors related to recovery were age, breathlessness, performance status, radiologic emphysema, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, and predictive postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second. The overall number of these risk factors was specifically related to postoperative recovery (p < 0.01): the rate of recovery on postoperative day 3 was 100% in patients with no risk, 68% in those with one to three risks, and 22% in those with four to six risks. CONCLUSIONS: Our original regimen is useful as a critical pathway for the management of lung cancer patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery. Furthermore, we created specific criteria to identify risk factors related to postoperative recovery that may be useful in planning hospitalization for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery.     

Video-assisted lobectomy in elderly lung cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the pre-, intra- and postoperative outcome of video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy in elderly lung cancer patients to determine what factors may be disadvantageous. METHODS: From June 1982 to May 2000, 707 patients underwent pulmonary resection for primary lung cancer. Of these, 87 patients with t1-2 peripheral lung cancer underwent lobectomy and postoperative pulmonary function tests and postoperative conditions at an average of 2.3 months postoperatively. Of these, 52 underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy since 1994 and 35 lobectomy by standard thoracotomy. RESULTS: Video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy offered advantages in blood loss, chest wall damage, and minimal performance deterioration status. The percent vital capacity, percent forced expiratory in 1 second, and percent maximum ventilatory volume were well preserved in patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified operation duration as an independent risk factor in morbidity and operative procedure as an independent risk factor in performance deterioration. In stage IA and IB patients, 3-year-survival was 92.9% and 5-year survival 53.8% in those undergoing lobectomy by standard thoracotomy and 84.2% at 3 years and 60.1% at 5-years in those undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy. CONCLUSION: We thus consider video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy in this age group to be an effective procedure, but the long surgical duration is a risk factor in a poor clinical outcome.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for right lung cancer in a patient with right aortic arch: report of a case

A 57-year-old man with an anomalous right aortic arch presented with cancer of the right lung. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve was found to be hooked around the right aortic arch. Right lower lobectomy with systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection was successfully performed using video-assisted thoracic surgery to provide close intraoperative attention to the branching of recurrent laryngeal nerve.