Specific techniques for right sleeve lower lobectomy: four case reports

BACKGROUND: Right sleeve lower lobectomy is rarely performed because pulmonary function of the middle lobe is not spared to the extent of the other lobes and achieving a proper bronchial anastomosis is technically more difficult than other sleeve lobectomies. CASE PRESENTATION: We performed four right sleeve lower lobectomies and had good clinical outcomes using specific technical options, such as telescope anastomosing, pericardiotomy, interlobar dissection between the upper and middle lobes, and angioplasty of the lower pulmonary artery, if needed. CONCLUSIONS: The cases presented herein demonstrated that a right sleeve lower lobectomy is one option by which to preserve the middle lobe using specific techniques and is thus recommended in select patients.