Thoracoscopic Left Lower Lobectomy for Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation
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What the experts said
The malformation was a hybrid congenital pulmonary airway malformation diagnosed prenatally.
CT scan at 4 months of age showed a left lower lobe CPAM with systemic blood supply arising from the sub-diaphragmatic aorta.
The patient remained asymptomatic and operation was performed at 9 months of age.
The left lung is isolated by right main stem intubation.
The patient is placed in the right lateral decubitus position with surgeon and assistant operating facing the patient.
A large arterial vessel coming through the diaphragm medial to the inferior pulmonary ligament and entering the left lower lobe confirms a hybrid lesion.
The inferior pulmonary ligament is divided all the way to the border of the inferior pulmonary vein to mobilize the left lower lobe off the diaphragm.
Dividing the inferior pulmonary ligament allows stretching of the systemic arterial vessel for skeletonization with hook cautery.
The systemic arterial vessel is double clipped proximally and a ligature device is applied distally to coagulate and divide the vessel.
The fissure is completed using ligature and sharp dissection.
Division of pulmonary parenchyma in the fissure allows visualization of pulmonary artery branches to the lower lobe.
The dissection should be kept as bloodless as possible, with any bleeding from divided parenchyma controlled early with ligature.
Excellent visualization is essential for adequate vascular control.
A right angle dissector is extremely useful in skeletonizing vessels and allows gaining adequate distance for safe ligation when applied precisely.
Dissection in the fissure always proceeds from medial to lateral.
While ligature can be used as the sole method of vessel control, clips are preferred proximally if adequate vessel length has been achieved.
Once the pulmonary artery and all pulmonary parenchyma in the fissure is divided, the bronchus comes into view.
It is quite common for the inferior pulmonary vein to consist of two major tributaries that join as they approach the left atrium.
When the inferior pulmonary vein has two major tributaries, it is best to dissect each tributary separately.
Pulmonary vein tributaries are controlled by clipping on the cardiac side and applying ligature on the pulmonary side.
Hook cautery is used to clean the bronchus of surrounding lymphatic and adventitial tissue.
An endo-GIA device is introduced directly through the chest wall and used to staple and divide the bronchus.
The specimen is extracted by slightly enlarging the posteriormost port site.
The patient was extubated at the end of the procedure and discharged on the 2nd postoperative day with excellent recovery.