Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  1998 Jun;31(6):624-628.

Postpneumonectomy Syndrome after Left Pneumonectomy: one case report

• Yoon YH
• Lee DY
• Kim BY

Abstract

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare and delayed complication of left pneumonectomy in most patients with normal mediastinal vascular anatomy. This syndrome is characterized by dyspnea and recurrent pulmonary infection in the remaining right lung that typically occur within the first postoperative year. The condition is believed to be secondary to postsurgical changes that include a marked shift of the mediastinum to the left, clockwise rotation of the heart and great vessels, and herniation of the right lung into the left anterior thorax. These changes lead to compression of the trachea or right main bronchus among the thoracic spine and the right pulmonary artery. We report a case of postpneumonectomy syndrome in 15 year-old girl that followed by left pneumonectomy for bronchiectasis 6 years ago. We have inserted an expandable prosthesis in the left thoracic cavity posterior to the heart. After implantation of an expandable prosthesis, an anatomic reposition of the shifted mediastinum was achieved, which resulted in instantaneous and sustained relief. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was followed in OPD from after discharge to now.

Keyword

Postoperative complication; Pneumonectomy

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Bronchi
Bronchiectasis
Dyspnea
Female
Heart
Humans
Lung
Mediastinum
Pneumonectomy*
Postoperative Complications
Prostheses and Implants
Pulmonary Artery
Spine
Thoracic Cavity
Thorax
Trachea