Various anatomical variants in pulmonary veins can have a serious effect on patients undergoing lung surgery. We present a case of a patient with an unusual pulmonary vein variation. Preoperative review of the patient's three-dimensional 64-row multidetector computed tomography imaging allowed us precise simulation and good orientation of the patient's vascular variant anatomy during surgery. Upper lobectomy through thoracoscopic approach was performed successfully in the case where the middle lobe vein might have been divided without preoperative anatomical evaluation by 3D CT images.

We report a case of anomalous systemic arterial supply with three aberrant arteries supplying the basal segments of the right lung. There is no published report of a patient of anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segments with three aberrant arteries. Transverse computed tomography (CT) showed one aberrant artery in the right lower lobe, and preoperative three-dimensional CT showed three aberrant arteries, which provided detailed information and assisted in the thoracoscopic surgery. The patient underwent a complete thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy.

VATS was performed safely in instances of metastasectomy after chemotherapy, and the tailor-made virtual lung assisted in lung orientation during the operation.