Background

Although the optimal surgical treatment for lung cancer has long been lobectomy, segmentectomy may become a standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer [1]. Previous studies have shown that segmentectomy is oncologically comparable with lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer [2]. Segmentectomy also has the advantage of preservation of lung function [2, 3].

Segmentectomy requires a higher degree of skill than lobectomy for thoracic surgeons [1]. Moreover, segmentectomy is often challenging when thoracic surgeons encounter anatomical anomalies during surgery. A displaced left apicoposterior bronchus (B1 + 2) is a bronchial anomaly that thoracic surgeons sometimes encounter [4]. Although previous reports have described lobectomy for lung cancer with a displaced left B1 + 2, few reports have described segmentectomy for an anomalous bronchial branch [5,6,7]. We herein report a case of successful left apicoposterior segmentectomy for lung cancer in a patient with a displaced segmental bronchus using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) with the aid of recently developed advanced techniques.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old man with no symptoms and a history of diabetes mellitus and subsequent chronic kidney disease was referred to our hospital because an abnormal lung nodule had been detected by chest computed tomography (CT). Initially, the CT image revealed a pure ground-glass nodule that was thought to be benign (Fig. 1a). During 6 months of close follow-up, the nodule gradually developed a solid component. CT finally showed a part-solid ground-glass nodule measuring 22 mm (the solid component measured 8 mm) in the left apicoposterior segment (S1 + 2), which raised suspicion for malignancy (Fig. 1b). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed hypometabolic activity (maximum standardized uptake value, 1.4). Distant metastases were not detected by whole-body CT or FDG-PET. The patient was referred to our department for surgical treatment.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Preoperative chest computed tomography images. a Initially, chest computed tomography showed a pure ground-glass nodule with a possibility of benignity. b Six months later, chest computed tomography revealed a part-solid ground-glass nodule containing a solid component that was highly suspicious for malignancy

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The preoperative CT scan showed a displaced anomalous B1 + 2 branching from the left main bronchus behind the left main pulmonary artery (Fig. 2a, b). The patient was suspected to have early-stage lung cancer (cT1aN0M0-IA1) located in S1 + 2 with a left displaced anomalous B1 + 2.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Preoperative three-dimensional chest computed tomography images. a Preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction imaging revealed a displaced apicoposterior bronchus (B1 + 2) branching behind the main pulmonary artery. The nodule was located in the left apicoposterior segment (A1 + 2). b A branch of the pulmonary artery of the left A1 + 2 branched from the main pulmonary artery along the head side of the displaced B1 + 2. PA: pulmonary artery

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Considering the patient’s comorbidity, we decided to perform left S1 + 2 segmentectomy. The surgery was conducted under four-port VATS. The displaced B1 + 2 was initially accessed by dissecting along the posterior side of the mediastinal pleura. We identified the displaced B1 + 2 and subsequently detected A1 + 2 branching along the displaced B1 + 2 from the left main pulmonary artery. After dissecting the hilar lymph nodes, the displaced B1 + 2 and A1 + 2 were exposed and cut respectively with a mechanical stapler (Fig. 3a). Several lymph nodes were analyzed by intraoperative frozen section and found to be negative for metastasis. Indocyanine green (ICG) was administered intravenously. The intersegmental plane was identified under near-infrared thoracoscopy. The surface of the whole left lung except that of the target segment turned green (Fig. 3b). In addition to the intersegmental plane, we identified the actual location of the tumor with the aid of palpation thoracoscopically. Following the intersegmental plane suggested by systemic ICG injection and after confirming the tumor location, we completed left S1 + 2 segmentectomy with the use of mechanical staplers. After obtaining the specimen, we reconfirmed intraoperatively that the surgical margin was tumor-free. The operation time was 130 min, and the blood loss was minimal. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 4 days after surgery.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Intraoperative view of surgical field. a Photograph after dissection of displaced apicoposterior bronchus (B1 + 2) and apicoposterior segement (A1 + 2). b Delineation of intersegmental plane by systemic indocyanine green injection under near-infrared imaging. The white arrows suggest the intersegmental plane. PA: pulmonary artery

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The pathological diagnosis was invasive adenocarcinoma. The dimension of tumor invasion was 16 mm. The surgical margin was negative and all lymph nodes were negative for metastases. The pathological stage was p-T1bN0M0. At the time of this writing (8 months postoperatively), the patient was alive without recurrence.

Discussion

We have herein described the successful performance of left S1 + 2 segmentectomy for lung cancer with a displaced B1 + 2. As advancements in CT scanning continue to facilitate detection of many lung cancers indicated for segmentectomy, thoracic surgeons will increasingly encounter segmental bronchial anomalies. Thoracic surgeons should have a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of segmental bronchi, including their anomalies, to ensure appropriate performance of segmentectomy. The present case provides valuable information on how to manage a segmental bronchial anomaly during segmentectomy.

Preoperative three-dimensional CT reconstruction greatly contributes to establishment of the surgical strategy. In this case, we preoperatively determined that the anomalous B1 + 2 arose on the back of the left main pulmonary artery. This is why we initially accessed the displaced B1 + 2 from the posterior side. In some previous cases, the interlobar dissection approach resulted in accidental cutting of the displaced B1 + 2 involved with the lung parenchyma during anatomical resection for lung cancer [6, 7]. Preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction was useful in terms of understanding the anatomy in our case and thus helped us to avoid accidental cutting of the displaced B1 + 2.

Systemic ICG injection played an important role in this surgery. We easily identified the intersegmental plane with the aid of intraoperative ICG injection (Fig. 3b). Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of systemic ICG injection [8, 9]. Our case suggests that systemic ICG can be effective even in patients with a segmental bronchial anomaly. Systemic ICG injection does not require inflation to identify the segmental plane and creates more surgical space, thus facilitating complete VATS surgery [10]. Although a previous case report described segmentectomy for lung cancer with an anomalous segmental bronchus via open thoracotomy [6], we performed this challenging surgery via complete VATS with the assistance of systemic ICG injection.

Conclusion

We performed successful left S1 + 2 segmentectomy for lung cancer in a patient with an anomalous segmental bronchus via complete VATS. Preoperative three-dimensional imaging and systemic ICG injection led to the success of this segmentectomy.