title: Inadvertently transected left superior pulmonary vein during thoracoscopic left lower lobectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several anatomical variations of the pulmonary vein which can cause serious complications in pulmonary lobectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We inadvertently divided the left superior pulmonary vein during thoracoscopic left lower lobectomy in a lung cancer patient. Retrospective review of the preoperative computed tomography showed extra-pericardial common trunk of the left pulmonary venous system. Left superior pulmonary vein was reimplanted into stump of divided common trunk via thoracotomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness of vascular anomalies will help thoracic surgeons to prevent potential morbidity and mortality from complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, 807 Hogukno, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41404, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yangki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Seok
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, 807 Hogukno, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41404, Republic of Korea. bay@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Eungbae
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Anatomical anomaly; Lung cancer surgery; Pulmonary vein