Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease (May 2017)

Post-pneumonectomy and post-lobectomy syndromes: case series and review of the literature

  • Grigoris Stratakos,
  • Vlassis Vitsas,
  • Nikos Koufos,
  • Charalambos Zissis,
  • Philip Emmanouil,
  • Nikos Koulouris

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2017.810
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 87, no. 1

Abstract

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The post-pneumonectomy syndrome is a rare complication consisting of rotation and herniation of the mediastinal structures, the remaining lung and the respective bronchi, into the contralateral hemithorax. This situation may produce symptomatic airway obstruction and varies in its presentation and severity. We describe one case of right and one of left pneumonectomy syndrome as well as one case of post-lobectomy syndrome. We review the literature on the pathophysiology, the clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic characteristics of this rare entity and discuss all available therapeutic alternatives.

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