No abstract

Anatomical variations of the bronchi and lung vessels may be important obstacles during lung resection if overlooked. We designed this study to determine the frequency and types of variations of lung vessels during lung resections. In a 3[1/2]-year-period, anatomical variations were recorded and registered by digital photography at the hilar and/or interlobar areas during lung resection surgery on 140 patients. Variations of the pulmonary blood vessels were observed in 23 patients. Of these, 12 patients had variations of the middle lobe vessels. Middle lobe veins emptying into the right inferior pulmonary vein, and middle lobe arteries originating from the artery for the basal segments, were observed in four patients each; two separate middle lobe arteries and a low origin of the middle lobe artery existed in three and one patient, respectively. Among seven patients with variations of the lingular vessels, the lingular artery originating from the artery for the basal segments was found in three patients; the remaining variations referred to absent or low origin of the lingular artery (in one patient each), and to an aberrant lingular vein, separate from the upper lobe vein (two patients). A single unilateral pulmonary vein and a left-sided bronchial tree completely behind the pulmonary artery existed in three and one patient, respectively. Potential problems related to these variations during resectional lung surgery are discussed. Awareness of the most frequent variations is of utmost importance for safe lung resections.

Complete situs inversus is a rare syndrome with a frequency estimated at 1-2/10,000 births. Situs inversus may go unrecognized until discovery during emergency surgery or investigation of symptoms. We present a case of confirmed adenocarcinoma of the left lung, treated by upper lobectomy. The computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax showed a mirror-image of the organs and vessels, confirmed by aortography and pneumoangiography. The heart was structurally normal. Abdominal CT scan showed a mirror-image of the abdominal organs. At thoracotomy, the gross appearance of the left lung and the arrangement of the pulmonary vessels and the bronchi corresponded to that normally found on the right side. Preoperative diagnosis of situs inversus in patients undergoing surgical treatment is important for operative technique and prevention of vessel injury. Preoperative angiographic examination is mandatory in patients with situs inversus undergoing lung resection.

No abstract

Sleeve pneumonectomy should be avoided in patients with N2 lesions confirmed preoperatively. A safe operation can be performed if the surgeon restricts airway resection to a maximum length of 4 cm.