Pulmonary artery reconstruction using autologous pulmonary vein for surgical treatment of locally advanced lung cancer: a case report

BACKGROUND Resection and reconstruction of the pulmonary artery during lobectomy is a safe and effective procedure for centrally located lung cancer. We usually choose a pericardial conduit to repair a large defect of the pulmonary artery. The use of an autologous pulmonary vein conduit for reconstruction was first described in 2009. CASE PRESENTATION A 64-year-old woman with left upper lung adenocarcinoma with mediastinal and hilar adenopathy was referred to our hospital. Hilar nodes had extensively infiltrated the pulmonary artery. We interposed an autologous superior pulmonary vein between the cut ends of the pulmonary artery. She was discharged without any complication on the ninth postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS A pulmonary vein conduit is a good option for reconstruction of the pulmonary artery. We report the successful use of an autologous pulmonary vein conduit.