Unusual anatomical segmentectomies are technically demanding procedures that require a deep knowledge of intralobar anatomy and surgical skill. In the other hand, these procedures preserve more normal lung parenchyma for lesions located in specific anatomical segments, and are indicated for benign lesions, metastasis and also early stage adenocarcinomas without nodal involvement. A 32-year-old woman was diagnosed of a benign pneumocytoma in the anterior segment of the left-lower lobe (S8, LLL), so we performed a single-incision video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SI-VATS) anatomical S8 segmentectomy in 140 minutes under intercostal block. There were no intraoperative neither postoperative complications, the chest tube was removed at 24 hours and the patient discharged at 5 th postoperative day with low pain on the visual analogue scale (VAS). Final pathologic exam reported a benign sclerosant pneumocytoma with free margins. The patient has recovered her normal activities at 3 months completely with radiological normal controls at 1 and 3 months. (Figure 2A). Just below the arterial stump, we dissected the bronchus. After initial dissection of both the S8 and the S9+10 segmental bronchus, we individualized the S8 bronchus and, as usual, we made an intraoperative fiberbronchoscopy for guidance and, clamping the segmental bronchus, we checked the bronchoscope light through the bronchial wall proximal to the clamp ( Figure 2B). After careful identification of the segmental vein V8, we divided the fissure between S8 and S9+10 with thick load staplers. Then we checked that the segmental vein V6 and V9+10 were preserved and we divided the V8 by using a vascular stapler ( Figure 2C). Last step to complete the segmentectomy requires division of the parenchyma between S8 and the surrounding segments (S6 and S9+10), and needs a thorough revision for avoiding unnoticed division of V9+10 or V6 with the parenchyma staplers. Total operating time was 140 minutes ( Figure 3).After 24 hours in the Intermediate Care Unit, chest tube was removed without air leak and normal lung reexpansion, and the patient was discharged home on the 5 th postoperative day mainly due to patient's frighten to be discharged sooner after a pulmonary resection. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were 3/10 and 3/10 on POD 1 and 2.Final pathological exam showed a 3 cm sclerosant pneumocytoma without mitosis. Chest X-ray one month after the surgery showed an uneventful LLL reexpansion.
DiscussionFor many years, anatomical lobectomies and more extensive procedures (bilobectomies and pneumonectomies) were the most common anatomical resections due to better oncologic outcomes for lung cancer surgery (2). Thus, for benign lesions or metastasis, wedge non-anatomical resections were first attempted as they were more simple procedures. Recent advances in the knowledge of lung cancer surgery showed that anatomical segmentectomies have its role in lung cancer treatment because of its comparable outcomes in terms of recurrence and survival, which are si...