Uniportal VATS right superior lobectomy: management of pulmonary vein variation: a case report

Although there are lots of variations of pulmonary veins including dangerous type that could cause serious complications during surgery, limited information has been reported about these variations. We have experienced an extremely rare anomaly of the right superior pulmonary vein during right superior lobectomy. We used a technique called "non fissure" to manage the right superior pulmonary vein, and the results were satisfactory.

A 66-year-old woman with lung nodules visited our hospital. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple ground glass nodules in the right lung, the main pulmonary nodule was 11 mm in diameter and presented mixed density. The patient had a previous history of rectal cancer surgery. Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional computed tomography showed that the right superior pulmonary vein abnormally ran between the pulmonary artery trunk and the right main bronchus. We performed a right superior lobectomy and lymph node sampling by uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The pathological findings showed microinvasive adenocarcinoma with no lymphatic metastasis. She was discharged 7 days after surgery without any surgical complications.

Although the variation of pulmonary vein is uncommon, it is dangerous to misidentify in the operation. Preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography is useful for avoiding unexpected bleeding. The technique "no fissure" might be a useful way to manage the variation of pulmonary vein.