Fig. 1

a Ipsilateral thymus lobe (1) was separated from the mediastinal pleura, the back surface of the sternum, and pericardium while preserving its vascular pedicle. The inferior part of the pericardial fat (2) was dissected gentle and freed from the diaphragm and pericardium. b Thymopericardial fat flap was sutured to the bronchial stump with interrupted horizontal mattress sutures