Lobectomy with pathological examination in lung cancer patients who recovered from COVID-19

Abstract

We present two cases of lobectomy in lung cancer patients who recovered from COVID-19 before surgical treatment. In both cases, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was initiated and hilar fibrosis was detected; as a result, conversion was performed in one case. There were no postoperative complications and mortality. Also, we demonstrate the results of pathological examination in patients who have recovered from COVID-19.

© 2021. The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery.

Figures

Fig. 1

Lung CT scans. Initial images of peripheral mild GGO (a). CT scan the day before surgery with a pulmonary nodule and slighter GGO lesions (b)

Fig. 2

Initial view of right lung has a mottled appearance with hemorrhage-like areas and injection of superficial pleural vessels

Fig. 3

Histologic changes the surrounding lung parenchyma, × 100, hematoxylin, and eosin. DAD, mild fibrosis of the interalveolar septa, mild inflammatory infiltration; the lumens of the bronchioles are dilated, contain mucus and a small number of macrophages; microangiopathy, diapedetic hemorrhages around the alveoli (a). Growth of granulation tissue in the lumen of the alveoli, the abundance of congested vessels, and diapedetic hemorrhages (b). Fibrosis foci in the lung tissue at the end of the proliferative phase (c). DAD, proliferative phase: focal intraalveolar edema, focal accumulations of alveolocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes, fibrin in the alveoli; focal perivascular accumulations of lymphocytes (d)