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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Thoracoscopic Extended Right Middle Plus Lower Sleeve Lobectomy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: February 27, 2026
Laparoscopic resection of an intradiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst
Nico P Zügel1, Martin Kox, Reinhold A Lang
1Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette/ Luxembourg. nikolaus.zuegel@chem.lu
Background:
A 43-year-old woman with recurrent hiccup and discomfort in the right upper abdomen was diagnosed by computed tomographic (CT) scan with a cystic tumor in the right liver. Echinococcus serology was negative.
Methods:
A laparoscopic procedure was chosen as standard therapy for symptomatic cystic liver tumors. The presumed tumor turned out to be a diaphragmatic cyst 8 cm in diameter at the center of the right hemi-diaphragm. By using the ultrasonic device, the cystic tumor was completely and safely removed from the diaphragm. The defect was closed by using nonabsorbable sutures. A chest drain was inserted for 1 day.
Results:
The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on day 4. The histopathological examination revealed a bronchogenic cyst. No recurrence was noted by CT-scan after 12 and 24 months.
Conclusions:
Due to this rare diagnosis, the intradiaphragmatic location of a bronchogenic cyst is difficult to identify with radiological methods. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The conventional surgical approach is a posterolateral thoracotomy. In the literature, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been described as a safe and effective procedure. In our case, we could demonstrate that the laparoscopic excision of a cyst including partial diaphragmatic resection can be done safely in a diaphragmatic location with all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.
