OPCAB surgery after right pneumonectomy.

Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in a 58-year-old patient 3 years after right pneumonectomy for nonsmall cell lung cancer stage IIIa. The CT scan demonstrated a marked shift of the mediastinum into the right chest, but revealed a feasible access to the left coronary artery by median sternotomy. Pulmonary function was impaired. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed to avoid cannulation under more difficult conditions and to prevent negative side effects of cardiopulmonary bypass to the pulmonary function. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. We discuss issues related to this special subgroup of patients.