Case of intercostal lung hernia with hemosputum that developed after thoracoscopic lobectomy

Intercostal lung hernia is defined as a protrusion of the lung tissue through a chest wall defect. It is an uncommon condition after a lobectomy, and most cases are asymptomatic. We herein report a case of intercostal lung hernia after a thoracoscopic right upper lobectomy in a patient whose chief complaint was hemosputum. Elevated intrathoracic pressure is a major risk factor for intercostal lung hernia. In this patient, obesity and bronchial asthma were considered the causes of this disease. Three reports on intercostal lung hernia after thoracoscopic lobectomy were previously published. In three of the four lung hernia cases (including our own), right upper lobectomy had been performed, and the middle lobe was herniated. We consider right upper lobectomy to be an anatomical risk factor.