Types of pulmonary fissures and its surgical implications: A cadaveric study

Abstract

Being the essential organs of respiration, pair of lungs are situated on either side of the mediastinum. Each lung is divided into lobes by the fissures. These fissures allow for proper expansion of lungs and on the other hand fissures may have a role in restricting infection to a particular lobe. Fissures may be complete, incomplete or absent.To study the variations in the fissures of lung, compare the results with the available data and to discuss the surgical importance of this study. 37 pairs of lungs (37 right and 37 left) from formalin fixed cadavers were observed and classified into different grades of fissures ( as per Craig and Walker criteria). Presence of accessory fissures was noted.Out of the 37 right lungs, 3 showed absence of horizontal fissure and the same fissure was incomplete in right sided 17 lungs. Among the left lungs, 9 had incomplete oblique fissure. Accessory fissure were found in 2 right and 1 left lungs.The current study showed that right lung may be without horizontal fissure or fissures may be incomplete. Thus, a light on these variations by the cardiothoracic surgeons will help in better planning of surgeries like lobectomy. Knowledge about the fissures will aid in arriving at better diagnosis for the clinicians and radiologists.