RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cases of systemic thromboembolism due to thrombus formation in the pulmonary vein stump after lobectomy have been reported recently. Cerebral infarction after left upper lobectomy is a common symptom in these cases. We encountered a rare case of acute limb ischemia caused by a thrombus formed in the left inferior pulmonary vein stump after left lower lobectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man underwent video-assisted left lower lobectomy under general anesthesia with epidural anesthesia. On postoperative day 2, he suddenly developed pain in the left calf. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed left popliteal artery occlusion and thrombus formation in the left inferior pulmonary vein stump. Anticoagulant therapy was started immediately, and emergent endovascular thrombectomy was performed. The patient recovered without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Left lower lobectomy can cause thrombus formation in the pulmonary vein stump, leading to systemic thromboembolism. Early detection and treatment are the keys to minimize complications.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare disorder characterized by cartilaginous or ossified submucosal nodules of unknown etiology that project into the tracheobronchial lumen. TO is often accompanied by endotracheal stenosis from cartilage proliferation and is often detected by difficult endotracheal intubation incidence. CASE REPORT Here we report the case of a patient (67-year-old man) with TO scheduled to undergo robot-assisted total prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The tracheal lumen was especially narrow at an area 1 cm below the glottis, with the smallest lumen diameter being 9 mm. After rapid induction, the bronchoscope passed through the stenosed region, and a 6.5-mm spiral endotracheal tube (ETT) was inserted with bronchoscopic assistance. However, because of resistance, the spiral ETT could not pass through the stenosed area. After changing to a 6.5-mm normal ETT, intubation was successfully performed with gentle rotation. Owing to the rotation, the tip entered and gained access to the gap between nodules. With use of a bronchoscope, we confirmed that the tip of the ETT was advanced 10 cm from the glottis, where the site of maximum stenosis was not covered by the tube cuff, and where the tip did not cross the bifurcation. After surgery, no bleeding or edema was found on bronchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS In patients with TO, it is important to assess the airway condition and prepare for difficult intubation. In this case, tracheal intubation was performed with rotation using a bronchoscope and normal ETT.