Figure 3.

Superior segmentectomy of left lower lobe (7). The target nodule in superior segment of left lower lobe was firstly located by digital palpation and marked via a stitch; the posterior part of the major pulmonary fissure was incompletely developed, and was opened with electric hook and harmonic scalpel to facilitate the exposure of the interlobar artery; the superior segmental artery had two branches, which were dissected and transected by stapler one by one; subsequently, the underlying superior segmental bronchus was dissected and transected by a gold color stapler; the posteroinferior drainage vein was isolated, and clipped by a hem-o-lock, cut by harmonic scalpel; the last step was to identify the intersegmental plane and cut it; the intersegmental plane was identified by inflation of left lung and cut along the remnant basilar artery and bronchus; the specimen was then retrieved via a self-made protective bag using a rubber gloves. Available online: http://www.asvide.com/articles/278