Intrapulmonary sequestration operated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy; report of a case

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare malformation of the respiratory tract. We here report an adult case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration with aberrant artery of the right lower lobe. A 20-year-old man admitted to our hospital with a chest discomfort. Chest computed tomography (CT), angiography, and scintigraphy showed abnormal findings of the right lower lobe with an aberrant artery. Under the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy was performed. VATS is useful for the operation of pulmonary sequestration.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in the treatment of intralobar pulmonary sequestration

Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital malformation characterised by cystic, non-functioning embryonic lung tissue with vascularisation of an abnormal systemic artery. They are classified as intralobar (75%) and extralobar (25%) and are more common in the left lung and lower lobes (60-90%). We report two cases of intralobar pulmonary sequestration located in the lower lobe of the left lung which were subjected to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Both patients had recurrent infections for which, after performing imaging tests, they were diagnosed with intralobar pulmonary sequestration in the left lower lobe, with an afferent arterial branch to the malformation from the aorta. A lower lobectomy was performed by video-assisted surgery, dividing the aberrant aortic artery with an endostapler. A single thoracic chest tube was placed and removed on postoperative day 2 and the patients were discharged on the same day. In both cases, the pathology examination revealed intralobar pulmonary sequestration. Pulmonary sequestrations are uncommon malformations that can be operated on using minimally invasive techniques, thereby permitting early discharge and a low rate of complications.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection for intralobar pulmonary sequestration

Video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment of intralobar pulmonary sequestration in an obese (120 kg, body mass index 42) young man is described. Two aberrant arteries originating from the descending thoracic aorta were transected with a vascular stapler, and a left lower lobectomy was successfully performed thoracoscopically. Three-dimensional chest computed tomography was used to identify the aberrant vessels. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is useful and minimally invasive for treating pulmonary sequestration, especially in obese patients.     

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration treated by resection of the sequestrated segment

Segmentectomy including the sequestrated segment and lobectomy are generally performed for intralobar pulmonary sequestration. We report a case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration of Pryce type III treated by resection of only the sequestrated segment. A 57-year-old man presented with a 5 x 3 cm mass shadow overlapping a cardiac shadow on the left lower lung field on chest radiograph at medical examination. The mass was not connected with the bronchial tree, and was supplied by an aberrant artery arising from the thoracic descending aorta. The mass was suspected to exist in the normal visceral pleura from chest images. The mass was suspected to be an intralobar pulmonary sequestration from the abovementioned findings, and we performed an operation. At the beginning of the procedure, after dissecting the aberrant artery, only the sequestrated segment was performed.     

Thoracoscopic treatment of pulmonary sequestration.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation and may be the cause of recurrent infections or hemoptysis. It has been shown in case reports that resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is feasible despite the possible technical difficulties due to inflammatory changes, but its role has not been evaluated yet in a larger series of consecutively treated patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all consecutively thoracoscopically treated patients (between January 1991 and January 2005) with pulmonary sequestration in a single center. We included 14 patients in the study who fulfilled the criteria; seven were women. Median age was 33 years (20-64 years). The following data were analyzed for all patients: major symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, and outcome. Operative parameters and findings including operating time, blood loss, anatomical location of the sequestration, and feeding vessels were evaluated. RESULTS: Leading symptoms were recurrent infections (10), hemoptysis (3), and chest discomfort (1). The diagnosis was made by CT scan. Additionally, an arteriography or an angio-MRI was done in three patients and one patient, respectively. Thirteen intralobar (all lower lobes, eight on the right) and one left-sided extralobar pulmonary sequestration were resected. We performed eight lobectomies, four atypical segmentectomies, one extralobar resection, and one occlusion of the aberrant artery. One case had to be converted to a thoracotomy due to bleeding from the aberrant artery. There was no mortality. Complications included pneumonia in three cases, one hemothorax, one pneumothorax after removing the chest tube, and one wound infection. All were treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic treatment of pulmonary sequestration is feasible in experienced hands. The aberrant systemic artery can be freed and dissected safely despite the frequently occurring inflammatory changes. Conversion rate to thoracotomy is low.     

Lung Salvage by Pulmonary Arterioplasty after Vascular Injury During Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgical Right Upper Lobectomy

Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgical (VATS) lobectomy is now considered feasible and safe. Nevertheless, thoracic surgeons need to be aware of dramatic complications that may occur during this procedure and how best to manage them. We report the case of a severe tear of the right pulmonary artery (PA) during elective VATS upper lobectomy, leading to emergency conversion to control the bleeding. Initial arterial repair was performed by end-to-end anastomosis. Early CT angiography showed thrombosis of the right PA due to anastomotic stenosis. We performed emergency pulmonary arterioplasty with a prosthetic patch to save the right lung. A CT scan days after surgical lung salvage confirmed the permeability of the PA and normal vascularization of the two remaining right lobes. We discuss herein this dramatic complication of VATS lobectomy, the viability of the lung after pulmonary arterial thrombosis, and advocate for early postoperative imaging after pulmonary arterioplasty.     

Pulmonary sequestration associated with asymptomatic aspergillosis.

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration associated with asymptomatic aspergillosis is a rare case. We describe the case of a 65-year-old woman with intrapulmonary sequestration, anomalous systemic arterial supply to the left lower lobe and aspergillosis who underwent left lower lobectomy and ligation of an anomalous artery by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Pathological examination showed the parenchymal distortion and chronic inflammation. Aspergillus were found in the cyst. VATS lobectomy for intralobar pulmonary sequestration is a safe and valid procedure.     

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。     

Pulmonary function after lobectomy: video-assisted thoracic surgery versus thoracotomy

BACKGROUND: Whether video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) improves postoperative pulmonary function is still controversial. We compared postoperative pulmonary function after VATS lobectomy and standard lobectomy. METHODS: Eleven patients who had undergone standard lobectomy and 10 patients who had undergone VATS lobectomy were studied. Arterial blood gas analyses were performed on the 4th, 7th, and 14th postoperative days. Pulmonary function, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1.0), and peak flow rate (PFR) were measured on the 7th and 14th postoperative days (early phase), and approximately 1 year after surgery (late phase). RESULTS: Pulmonary function, as assessed with arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) (p = 0.054), arterial oxygen saturation (O2SAT) (p = 0.063), FVC (p = 0.10), and FEV1.0 (p = 0.08), was better after VATS lobectomy than after thoracotomy on the 7th postoperative day. PFR was significantly better after VATS on both the 7th and 14th postoperative days (p = 0.008 and p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: VATS lobectomy had advantages on early postoperative pulmonary function. We conclude that VATS lobectomy is a beneficial alternative to standard thoracotomy, especially for patients with poor pulmonary reserve.     

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.     

Assessment of the perioperative hemodynamics and right ventricular performance of lung cancer patients using a continuous cardiac output monitoring system: comparison between video-assisted thoracic surgery and muscle-sparing thoracotomy.

PURPOSE: This prospective study was conducted to assess the influences of hemodynamics and right ventricular (RV) performance after lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and that by muscle-sparing thoracotomy (MST) using a continuous cardiac output (CCO) monitoring system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between October 2002 and April 2004, 16 patients (VATS, 8; MST, 8) who underwent lobectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy were enrolled in this study. Changes in hemodynamics and RV performance were evaluated preoperatively and for 36 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: There were significant differences in operative blood loss (BL) and postoperative maxCPK/m(2) between VATS and MST groups. Postoperative values were expressed as a percentage of the preoperative values. For 36 hours perioperatively, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and total pulmonary resistance index (TPRI) decreased to greater extents in the VATS group than in the MST group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in RV performance including the continuous cardiac index (CCI), RV ejection fraction (RVEF), RV end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) and RV stroke index (SI) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Considering our previous report about postoperative RV performance using the VATS procedure and posterolateral thoracotomy procedure, this study suggests that pulmonary resection using either VATS or MST could be employed as minimally invasive surgery.     

A video-assisted thoracic surgical lobectomy for a lung tumour with a rare anomalous pulmonary artery

A detailed knowledge of anomalies of the anatomical course of the pulmonary vessels is extremely important for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Inadvertent vascular ligation and dissection are catastrophic for patients undergoing lobectomy. We describe a case with a rare anomaly of the left pulmonary artery and highlight the importance of identifying the courses of pulmonary vessels for VATS lobectomy.     

Treatment of pulmonary sequestration by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare malformation of the respiratory tract that accounts for 0.15–6.4% of all congenital lung anomalies. Treatment requires resection of the lesion, provided that there is no technical contraindication. The lession should first be evaluated using video thoracoscopy and then resected whenever possible by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We report a case of extralobar pulmonary sequestration in a 48-year-old woman. She underwent lobectomy by VATS and achieved an excellent outcome.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for bronchopulmonary sequestration

Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital lung anomaly for which surgical resection is the definitive treatment. Open thoracotomy is the conventional approach, yet associated with considerable morbidity. We report one of the largest series of major lung resection for bronchopulmonary sequestration using the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach that could reduce such morbidity. Six cases of VATS anatomical lobectomy for intrapulmonary sequestration performed between January 1996 and January 2005 were reviewed. The six patients included two males and four females, with a mean age of 43.3 years (range: 27-64 years). Anatomical lobectomy without conversion to open was achieved in all cases. The mean operating time was 112.8 min (range: 90-140 min), the mean blood loss was 283.3 ml (range: 100-500 ml), and the mean length of post-operative hospital stay was 8.8 days (range: 7-24 days). There was no mortality. Three patients had minor wound infection. The results were comparable patients receiving lung resections for bronchopulmonary sequestration by an open approach. VATS major lung resection for bronchopulmonary sequestration is safe and feasible. Further studies are warranted to define the role of VATS in the management of bronchopulmonary sequestration.     

Acute phase responses following minimal access and conventional thoracic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Major thoracic surgery is associated with trauma-related immunological changes. These may impair anti-tumour immunity. We hypothesize that the reduced operative trauma associated with a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach may decrease acute phase responses and, consequently, lead to better preservation of immune function. This prospective randomized study compared the effects of conventional open thoracic surgery and VATS on acute phase responses in patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy. METHODS: Acute phase indicators were analyzed in patients undergoing lobectomy for suspected bronchogenic carcinoma. Surgery was prospectively randomized to pulmonary lobectomy by VATS or limited postero-lateral thoracotomy. Blood was taken pre-operatively and at 4, 24, 48, 72, 120 and 168 h post-operatively for analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP; 41 patients: open, n=22; VATS, n=19) interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors (TNF-sR55, TNF-sR75) and P-selectin (24 patients: open, n=12; VATS, n=12). Samples taken at 48 and 168 h were also analyzed for phagocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (25 patients: open, n=16; VATS, n=19). RESULTS: Surgery increased acute phase responses. VATS was associated with lower CRP and IL-6 levels. In the open surgery group, significant increases in ROS in neutrophils (up to 36% greater than before surgery, n=12, P<0.02-0.05) were detected at 2 days after surgery, but in the VATS group, the increase after surgery (of up to 17%, n=18) did not reach significance. Similarly, monocyte ROS increases of up to 25% in the mean ROS in the open surgery group and of up to 17% in the VATS group were detected on days 2 and 7 after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: VATS pulmonary lobectomy is associated with reduced peri-operative changes in acute phase responses. This finding may have implications for peri-operative tumour immuno-surveillance in lung cancer patients.     

The variability of practice in minimally invasive thoracic surgery for pulmonary resections

Thoracic surgeons participating in this survey seemed to have clearly indicated their perception of VATS major lung resections, in particular VATS lobectomy. 1. The acronym VATS as a short form of "video-assisted thoracic surgery" was the preferred terminology. 2. According to the respondents, the need or use of rib spreading served as the defining characteristic of "open" thoracic surgery. 3. It was most commonly suggested that VATS lobectomy is performed by means of two or three port incisions with the addition of a minithoracotomy or access incision. 4. Rib spreading (shearing) was not deemed acceptable as part of a strictly defined VATS procedure. 5. Although there was no general consensus, respondents suggested that the preferred approach for visualization in a VATS procedure was only through the video monitor. 6. Although minimally invasive procedures for lung resection are still mainly being used for diagnostic and minor therapeutic purposes, young surgeons seemed to be more likely to recommend VATS lung surgery for major pulmonary resections than their more senior colleagues. 7. The survey confirmed that the use of the standard posterolateral thoracotomy is still widespread. Almost 40% of the surgeons claimed to use the standard posterolateral thoracotomy for more than 50% of their cases and less than 30% use it for less than 5% of cases. 8. The major reasons to perform VATS lobectomy were perceived to be reduced pain and decreased hospitalization. 9. Approximately 60% of the surgeons claimed to perform VATS lobectomy in less than 5% of their lobectomy cases. Younger consultants reported using VATS lobectomy in up to 50% of their lobectomy cases. There was the suggestion that lack of resources could justify the minor impact of VATS lobectomy in the thoracic surgical practice in middle- to low-income countries. 10. The currently available scientific evidence on safety and effectiveness, and technologic advancements were emphasized as the two factors having a major impact on the development of minimally invasive thoracic surgical practice. 11. Any lack of popularity of VATS lobectomy was presumed to be caused by several equally important factors. Resistance to change by more senior surgeons ranked highly among younger surgeons, however, as an explanation for the slow adoption of this technique. Senior surgeons. however, seemed to focus their attention on the steep learning curve of VATS lobectomy. In addition, surgeons from middle- to low-income countries recognized certain financial and logistic difficulties as major determinants of the lack of popularity of VATS lobectomy. 12. Most surgeons thought that robotic thoracic surgery represented an evolution of VATS. Nevertheless, almost 30% did not think current robotic methods meet the criteria for minimally invasive surgery. More than 90% of the participants stated that they did not perform robotic thoracic surgery. This was reportedly because of costs. but also because of the fact that robotic approaches have not yet demonstrated a distinct advantage over nonrobotic VATS procedures. 13. It was suggested that in every unit or department there should be at least one surgeon with a specific interest and capability in VATS lobectomy. The younger surgeons. however, seemed to envisage more widespread competency being optimal. 14. Most suggested that training in VATS lobectomy be done in a stepwise fashion starting from the classical open technique. Older surgeons wanted to see this as an extracurricular activity following completion of the current training curriculum rather than included in the traditional training program. In the opinion of the thoracic surgeons taking part in this survey, pulmonary resections not performed according to these standards could not be called VATS procedures but should be included within the MITS category at large, along with other diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In addition, the survey confirmed that the time-honored muscle-dividing thoracotomy is still widely used. The opportunity for a progressive move toward the routine use of less invasive approaches for major pulmonary resections, however, is already well within sight. Given the results of the ESTS survey supporting a stepwise teaching process leading to VATS lobectomy, hybrid and minimally invasive open lung resections (discussed elsewhere in this issue) collectively defined as MITS may serve as starting point in this process to expand the appropriate use of VATS lobectomy in the modern thoracic surgical practice.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for left lung cancer in a patient with a right aortic arch

We report a rare case of left lung cancer in a patient with a right aortic arch. A 65-year-old woman was diagnosed to have an adenocarcinoma in the left upper lobe (S3) in addition to a right aortic arch (type II), with the left subclavian artery originating from the descending aorta. Left upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection was performed by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). For the mediastinal dissection, the upper mediastinal lymph nodes were easily resected after verifying the location of the arterial ligament and the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). This is the first report of using VATS to remove a lung cancer from a patient with a right aortic arch.     

Evolution to video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy after training: initial results of the first 30 patients

BACKGROUND: In early-stage lung cancer, evidence is accumulating for the benefits of lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) over open lobectomy. Few thoracic training programs offer sufficient experience in this technically demanding procedure. This article describes the evolution of a new graduate's practice from open thoracotomy to VATS lobectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Our model involves a transition in technique from posterolateral thoracotomy to muscle-sparing thoracotomy and, ultimately, to VATS lobectomy. This approach was evaluated by examining outcomes of open thoracotomy patients before VATS lobectomy and outcomes of the initial 30 VATS patients. Data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Before undertaking VATS lobectomy, 94 major pulmonary resections were performed by thoracotomy. Mortality was 1.2% for lobectomy and 0% for pneumonectomy. Use of the muscle-sparing thoracotomy increased from 17% of patients in the first half to 70% in the latter half of this group. For the first 30 VATS lobectomy patients, the mean operative time was 168 minutes. Median blood loss was 200 mL. Conversion rate to open thoracotomy was 13.3%. Mortality was 3.3% and morbidity was 26.7%. After short-term followup (mean followup 16 months), overall survival for stage I lung cancer was 96%. CONCLUSIONS: With our approach, new graduates of thoracic surgery programs can safely transition to VATS lobectomy. Gaining experience with the lateral muscle-sparing thoracotomy is an important step in the transition, as it offers similar operative exposure. Longterm disease-free and overall survival data are needed to evaluate our oncologic efficacy with this approach.     

A case report of pulmonary sequestration (Pryce I) associated with infective endocarditis

We experienced a case of pulmonary sequestration of Pryce type I associated with infective endocarditis (IE). A 19-old-man had prolonged high fever of 39 degrees C against antibiotic therapy. He was referred to our hospital because of the positive blood culture and abnormal echocardiographic findings, which were severe aortic regurgitation with vegetations clinging the aortic cusps. In addition, his chest X-ray film showed mass lesion behind the cardiac shadow, and continuous murmur was auscultated on this portion. The left pulmonary arteriography revealed no arterial distribution to the left lower lobe, while aortography showed an aberrant artery arising from the descending aorta entering into this lobe. One month after aortic valve replacement for IE, left lower lobectomy and amputation of the aberrant artery were performed successfully. Pathologically, inflammatory changes of the aortic valve and proliferations of intimal and medial wall of the aberrant artery were shown. However, alveo-bronchial structure of the resected lobe was normal. Diagnosis, complications and surgical management of pulmonary sequestration were discussed.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery superior segment-sparing lower lobectomy for intralobar pulmonary sequestration

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital disease. In this paper, we describe the successful treatment of this disease with video-assisted thoracic surgery. We performed a superior segment-sparing lower lobectomy and completely removed the perfused lesion from the systemic artery. This approach allowed a patient to recover uneventfully and to preserve pulmonary function, resulting in an excellent clinical outcome.