The length of the left superior pulmonary vein stump after left upper lobectomy depends on its position to the left atrial appendage

BACKGROUND: A longer left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV) stump may increase the risk for postoperative cerebral infarction. Although the residual stump is generally longer after left upper lobectomy (LUL) than for other lobectomies, the length of the LSPV stump after LUL may be influenced by the anatomical relationship between the left atrial appendage (LAA) and the LSPV. Our aim in this study was to investigate the influence of this anatomical relationship on the residual length of the LSPV stump after LUL. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 85 patients who underwent LUL at our institution, between January 2014 and March 2018. Based on pre-operative computed tomography (CT) images, the anatomical relationship between the LSPV and the LAA was classified into two patterns, namely an antero-superior and a postero-inferior pattern. The length of the LSPV stump for these two patterns was evaluated on postoperative CT images and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients, 49 were classified in the antero-superior pattern and 36 in the postero-inferior pattern. The mean length of the LSPV stump after LUL, overall, was 21.9 (range, 15–38) mm, with the stump being significantly longer for the antero-posterior (24.2 mm) than postero-inferior (18.9 mm) pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical relationship between the LSPV and LAA, identified on pre-operative CT images, was associated with the length of the LSPV stump after LUL.