2016 Volume 30 Issue 6 Pages 788-792
Identification of the intersegmental plane is one of the important techniques for thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy. In this report, we introduce our technique of intersegmental identification with a low flow air-inflation using a thin bronchoscope and the subsequent consolidation of the line using a SOFT coagulator. Firstly, the air-flow pressure was adjusted and the connecting tube was attached to a thin bronchoscope and then clamped. The bronchoscope was inserted into the orifice of the bronchus and the clamp of the tube was opened. The segment to be resected was expanded with low-flow air injection until an inflation-deflation line appeared. Neighboring segments were sufficiently collapsed with air suction to make the inflation-deflation line more clear. Any incomplete inflation-deflation line was then consolidated using a SOFT coagulator to be maintained clearly even after the manipulation of the lung. Our method is easy to perform and useful for the identification of the intersegmental line in thorcoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy.