Transplantation of a three-lobed donor left lung: A case report. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jacob, Samuel; Makey, Ian A; El-Sayed Ahmed, Magdy M; Mallea, Jorge M; Erasmus, David B; Belli, Erol V
• Is Part Of: SAGE open medical case reports. Volume 7(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Lung -- organ donor management -- transplantation; Clinical medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.09
• DOI: 10.1177/2050313X19834155
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-313X

Abstract

A true left middle lobe (lingular lobe) is very rare, but accessory fissures can be unexpectedly found at transplant. Pre-transplant knowledge of accessory lobes and accessory fissures aids in preparation, transplantation, postoperative assessment, and long-term care planning; however, fissures and accessory lobes can be overlooked by radiologists during routine evaluation of images. Here, we describe the first left lung with three anatomical lobes that was successfully transplanted into a 63-year-old patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This anatomical variation did not change our surgical plan or technique, but surgeons should be aware of this possibility, especially when planning postoperative care.