Evaluation of Visceral Pleural Lumbar Lymphatic Drainage

Anatomic variations of the pulmonary arterial tree can cause technical difficulties during pulmonary lobectomy in general and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Using CT angiography and 3D reconstruction, the investigators sought to identify anatomic variations of the pulmonary arterial tree and assess their respective frequencies.

Purpose Anatomic variations of the pulmonary arterial tree can cause technical difficulties during pulmonary lobectomy in general and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Using CT angiography and 3D reconstruction, the investigators sought to identify anatomic variations of the pulmonary arterial tree and assess their respective frequencies. Methods the investigators retrospectively studied 88 pulmonary arterial trees in 44 patients having undergone VATS lobectomy for lung cancer over an 18-month period in Amiens University Hospital's Department of Thoracic Surgery. Each CT angiography with 3D reconstruction of the pulmonary arterial tree was performed by two experienced operators, according to a standardized procedure.