Objective  To analyze the clinical features of pulmonary sequestration, with an attempt to improve the understanding of this disease and minimize diagnosis and treatment errors.

  Methods  The clinical data including the clinical features, diagnostic methods, operative technique, complications, and outcomes of 53 patients with pulmonary sequestration from 1988 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.

  Results  Of these 53 patients, there were 29 males and 24 females aged 12-68 years(mean:32.7 years). Their disease course ranged from 1 week to 40 years(mean:68 months). Preoperative diagnoses included pulmonary sequestration(n=40), pulmonary cyst(n=7), bronchiectasis(n=3), bullae(n=1), hydrothorax(n=1), and lung cancer(n=1). Thoracotomy was performed in 50 patients and thoracoscopy was performed in 3 patients. Pulmonary sequestration was pathologically confirmed in all 53 patients.Follow-up(mean:8 years)was performed in 46 patients, and no long-term complication was noted.

  Conclusions  Pulmonary sequestration is rare pulmonary congenital deformity. Enhanced computed tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction are most helpful for diagnosis. Surgery is preferred, and both thoracotomy and thoracosopy can achieve good outcomes among selected patients.