Single-Direction Approach for Thoracoscopic Segmentectomy of the Left Upper Lobe Anterior Segment With Mediastinal Lingular Artery

Abstract

Thoracoscopic resection of the anterior segment of the left upper lobe (S3) is technically challenging because of the intricate hilar structure and multiple intersegmental planes to be dissected. A single-direction approach for S3 segmentectomy is a technique in which surgeons dissect the hilum structures exclusively from the ventral side without dividing the interlobar fissure. Our consecutive case series and a representative surgical video demonstrated the feasibility of this approach in cases where the lingular artery arises from the first branch of the left pulmonary artery (mediastinal lingular artery).