Left subsuperior segmentectomy for a patient with early-stage lung cancer: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundThe independent segment between the superior and basal segments is called the subsuperior segment (S*), which is rarely observed. We report a left S* segmentectomy in a patient with early-stage lung cancer.Case presentationA 72-year-old man presented with a history of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. A left lung ground-glass nodule was detected during follow-up examination. The tumor shadow was localized in the left S* according to the findings of the three-dimensional image analysis system (SYNAPSE VINCENT®) with computed tomography-based analysis. S* segmentectomy was successfully performed with a sufficient surgical margin. The operation time was 147 min, and there was a small amount of bleeding. The pathological diagnosis was invasive adenocarcinoma measuring 3 mm. The tumor was successfully removed with a sufficient surgical margin. The patient was discharged from the hospital 8 days after surgery without any complications.ConclusionsS* segmentectomy is not typically performed in patients with lung cancer due to insufficient surgical margins. However, S* segmentectomy is a viable option for selected patients with pulmonary metastasis or early-stage lung cancer.