Inferior Pulmonary Ligament Division During Left Upper Lobectomy Causes Pulmonary Dysfunction [1]
This study aimed to determine whether inferior pulmonary ligament (IPL) division leads to pulmonary dysfunction in 213 upper lobectomy (UL) patients divided into two groups with division or preservation of the IPL. The authors found no difference in complication rate, dead space area, forced vital capacity, or forced expiratory volume in 1 s. However, after left UL, pulmonary function was significantly better in the IPL preservation group. IPL division during left UL caused pulmonary dysfunction and limited airflow due to bronchial kinking.