VATS Right Upper Lobe Anterior Segmentectomy in Post Left Pneumonectomy: Technique

Lung resection following pneumonectomy for recurrent lung cancer is a challenging scenario. Peri-operative airway management and choice of surgical procedure are issues to be addressed by both the anesthesiologists and thoracic surgeons. We hereby report a case of anterior segmentectomy of the right upper for recurrent lung cancer, in a patient who had previously underwent pneumonectomy for primary lung cancer one year earlier. A modified conventional tracheal intubation and unique surgical techniques were applied for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anterior segmentectomy of the right upper lobe in a patient with a notable mediastinal shift (following contralateral pneumonectomy), resulting in a good recovery and clinical outcome. The clinical experience is summarized in detail in this article.