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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Thoracoscopic Extended Right Middle Plus Lower Sleeve Lobectomy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: February 27, 2026
Computed tomography guided thoracoscopic segmentectomy for lung cancer with variant bronchus
Tadashi Akiba1, Toshiaki Morikawa, Hideki Marushima
1Department of Surgery, Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan.
Summary
This case report details a lung cancer surgery on a patient with a rare bronchial variation in the right upper lobe. Three-dimensional CT imaging was crucial for visualizing the unique anatomy during the thoracoscopic segmentectomy.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Anatomy
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Bronchial anatomical variations are uncommon, particularly in the right upper lobe.
- Surgical planning for lung segmentectomy requires precise understanding of airway and vascular structures.
- Few reports document lung segmentectomy procedures involving bronchial variations.
Observation:
- A lung cancer patient presented with an unusual anatomy of the right upper lobe bronchus.
- Preoperative three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (3D-MDCT) was utilized to map the variant bronchus and associated vasculature.
- This imaging modality provided critical intraoperative visualization of the patient's specific anatomy.
Findings:
- Successful thoracoscopic posterior segmentectomy of the right upper lobe was performed.
- The variant bronchial anatomy was accurately identified and navigated during the minimally invasive procedure.
- 3D-MDCT facilitated a safe and effective surgical approach by clarifying complex vascular and airway relationships.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in managing complex thoracic surgical cases.
- It demonstrates the feasibility of lung segmentectomy even with rare bronchial variations.
- Accurate preoperative anatomical assessment using 3D-MDCT can improve surgical outcomes in patients with variant lung anatomy.
