Esophageal cancer with right vertebral artery variation observed during thoracoscopic esophagectomy: a case report

Abstract Background Variation of the vertebral artery bifurcation is rare. This branching abnormality can cause unexpected damage and bleeding during thoracoscopic esophagectomy. There are few reports abnormal associated with neurosurgery but none related to We report case together results evaluation length in 50 patients esophageal cancer our hospital. Case presentation Thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed on a 70-year-old patient cancer. During lymph node dissection around right reccurent laryngeal nerve, an unusual blood vessel found running along subclavian artery. determined this be far more centrally than usual. Because anatomical clarified, we could then recognize that nerve coursed thus larger arch Conclusion Long may appear surgical field Knowledge such variation important prevent iatrogenic injury nerve.