Erroneous bronchial transection after video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pulmonary resection diagnosed with bronchoscopy: Case report

INTRODUCTION: Early recognition of VATS-related complications is crucial for early interventions, treatments and better outcomes PATIENT CONCERNS: Patient presented with post-obstructive pneumonia like symptoms 1 week after VATS pulmonary resection. DIAGNOSIS: CT scan chest showed evidence of complete consolidation of the lobe where the pulmonary segmentectomy resection took place. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic bronchoscopy confirmed the erroneous transection of the Superior Segment (SS) of Right Lower Lobe (RLL). Patient was then taken back for completion lobectomy and found with necrotic SS of RLL. This finding potentially could have caused significant complication if not recognized and treated early OUTCOMES: Patient recovered well after completion lobectomy and was discharged home several days later CONCLUSION: Erroneous bronchial transection should be suspected early in patients presenting with post-obstructive pneumonia after VATS pulmonary resection. CT scan chest and diagnostic bronchoscopy are the 2 main diagnostic tests