Innovative segmentectomy to remove the posterior segment of the lower lobe (S ¹⁰) of the lung

We describe our innovative technique for performing segmentectomy of the posterior segment of the lower lobe of the lung, being segment number 10 (S ¹⁰). In segmentectomy of S ¹⁰, it is difficult to identify A ¹⁰ from the interlobar fissure because the pulmonary artery to S ¹⁰ (A ¹⁰) branches from A ⁹⁺¹⁰ and runs dorsally and deeply into the lung tissue. Moreover, to reach S ¹⁰ from the interlobar fissure, the lung tissue should be cut between S ⁶ and S ⁸, because S ¹⁰ is not located beside the interlobar fissure. However, it is difficult to identify the boundary between the S ⁶ and S ⁸ without a route marker. To solve these difficulties, we divided S ⁶ and S ¹⁰ from each other at the beginning of the procedure, which enabled A ¹⁰ to be identified easily from the dorsal side. Because S ⁶ and S ^8-10 should be divided in S ¹⁰ segmentectomy at the end, the division between S ⁶ and S ^8-10 at the beginning of procedure is not only reasonable, but makes the procedure simple.