Complete resection of a recurrent bronchogenic cyst tightly adhered to the left atrium using cardiopulmonary bypass: a case report

Background: Most surgeons agree that symptomatic mediastinal bronchogenic cysts should be resected, and complete resection is considered mandatory to avoid recurrence. However, a symptomatic mediastinal bronchogenic cyst sometimes adheres to a vital organ, making complete resection hazardous. In such case, surgical resection using cardiopulmonary bypass should be performed to achieve complete resection.

Case presentation: A 65-year-old female patient had undergone surgical drainage of a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst 30 years ago. Recently, she presented with complaints of orthopnea, and computed tomography revealed a few days later a subcarinal bronchogenic cyst markedly compressing the left atrium. Complete resection of the mediastinal bronchogenic cyst was performed using cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was followed up for 1 year, with no recurrence of the bronchogenic cyst.

Conclusions: For patients with mediastinal bronchogenic cysts compressing the left atrium, we recommend complete resection using cardiopulmonary bypass.