Anatomical resection for right B 3 downwards-shifting malformation.

The right B 3 downwards-shifting malformation is rare. This malformation often leads to the following complications: abnormal pulmonary arteries that accompany the downward-displaced B 3 , and complete fusion of the upper and middle lobes into one lobe, with no horizonal fissure. When performing pulmonary anatomical resection in the right upper or middle lobes in patients with this malformation, careful preoperative planning and surgical technique are required, with which the surgeon should be familiar. Herein, we present the anatomical features necessary for anatomical resection of the right B 3 downwards-shifting malformation based on our technical experiences with anatomic segmentectomy and lobectomy techniques.