The application of virtual segmentectomy based on three-dimensional computed tomography and angiography in thoracoscopic segmentectomy for children and infants

Objectives The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of anatomic thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy performed based on three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) in children and infants. Methods Totally, 22 patients received thoracoscopic segmentectomy from October 2019 to February 2020. The procedures were performed virtual segmentectomy based on 3D-CTBA. The preoperative planning depended on the 3D-CTBA result. Results All of the 22 cases ( 1 left S1, 1 right S3, 1 left S1 + 2, 1 left S1 + 2 + 3, 1 left S4 + 5, 1 right S6, 1 right S10, 1 left S10, 2 right S9 + 10, 3 left S9 + 10, 1 right S7 + 8 + 9 + 10, 8 left S7 + 8 + 9 + 10) were received thoracoscopic segmentectomy successfully. The mean procedure length was 76.6 +/- 17.2 min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 16.5 +/- 2.8 ml. The mean duration of chest tube insertion was 3.2 +/- 0.7 days, and the mean hospital stay was 8.2 +/- 2.8 days. Postoperative complications included infection (n = 1), atelectasis (n = 1), hydropneumothorax (n = 1) and pneumothorax (n = 1). No recurrence or mortality was observed during the short-term follow-up period of 3 months. Conclusions Based on the 3D-CTBA technique, the specific pulmonary segments invaded by the lesions and the relationship between the corresponding pulmonary vessels and bronchi can be acknowledged before the operation, which is of positive significance for the resection of complex pulmonary segments and good preoperative surgical planning. It's worth popularizing in the pediatric population.