Variations and surgical management of pulmonary vein in living-donor lobectomy

Abstract OBJECTIVES In a living-donor lobectomy, the donor undergoes a right or left lower lobectomy. The surgical procedures for living-donor lobectomy are sometimes influenced by the anatomical variations of the pulmonary vein (PV). The goal of this study was to analyse the PV variations in living donors and to review the influence of these variations on the surgical procedures used. METHODS Between June 2008 and September 2018, 154 living donors underwent right or left lower lobectomy. The PV variations were analysed using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT), and the surgical management of these variations was reviewed. RESULTS Among 154 donors, 21 PV variations that could influence the surgical procedure for a right lower lobectomy were found in 19 (12.3%) donors, whereas no such variations for a left lower lobectomy were found. Detected PV variations were dorsal branch of the right upper PV (n = 12), middle PV draining into the right lower PV (n = 6) and the superior segment branch of the right lower PV draining into the right upper PV (n = 3). Among 96 donors undergoing right lower lobectomy, 9 (9.4%) donors had PV variations that could influence the surgical procedure. In 2 donors, sparing of PV branches with multiple vascular clamps was required. Pulmonary venoplasty was not required in any donor, whereas pulmonary venoplasty in recipient surgery was required in 4 recipients. There were no complications related to the surgical procedures performed on the PV. CONCLUSIONS Living-donor lobectomy was performed safely owing to the preoperative evaluation of PV on 3D-CT and the use of appropriate surgical approaches to PV.