Left main bronchus rupture during video-assisted thoracoscopicsurgery resection of a bronchogenic cyst

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (vats) is an approach to resection of bron-chogenic cysts (bc) which is effective and viable. there may be complications as a resultof pericystic adhesions to neighboring structures during dissection. this report describes anunusual case of an operative complication,the rupture of the main left bronchus. the ini-tial vats approach was converted into a right thoracotomy to remove the cyst and suture thebronchus once adequate exposure was obtained. bronchus reconstruction failed and a few hourslater,it was necessary to perform a left thoracotomy. a left pneumonectomy was required afterthe attempt to reconstruct the anastomosis was ruled out. the conclusion is that great careshould be taken when using vats approach for bc with adhesions. © 2013 sociedade portuguesa de pneumologia.