Patterns of Blood Supply and Venous Drainage in Pediatric Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration: A Retrospective Analysis of 30 Pediatric Cases from a Single Center

Purposes: Intralobar pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital anomaly that causesnonspecific respiratory symptoms. This report presented our surgical experiencefor pediatric cases of intralobar pulmonary sequestration in our institute. Methods: Between 2002 and 2014, 30pediatric patients with intralobar pulmonary sequestration underwent lobectomy.The clinical characteristics of patients were retrospectively analyzed usingmedical records and imaging data. Results: The median age at operation was 23 months. Thesequestered lung was situated in the right lower lung in 15 cases and in theleft lower lung in 15 cases. Eight cases were prenatally diagnosed by fetalultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. One aberrant artery was seen in 26cases and two aberrant arteries in 4 cases. The drainage vein from thesequestered lung was: 1) the pulmonary vein in 27 cases; 2) the inferior vena cava in 1 case; and 3) the azygos veinand the pulmonary vein in 2 cases. All patients underwent lower lobectomy ofthe affected side without postoperative early and long-term complications. Conclusion: Due to the increased rateof prenatal diagnoses, the age at operation has decreased. With respect tosafety, it is vital to ascertain the number of aberrant arteries and the venousdrainage route before lobectomy.