Total pulmonectomy in trauma: a still unresolved problem--our experience and review of the literature.

Emergency pneumonectomy for trauma is associated with very high mortality. Despite significant improvement of the intensive care resources, results of this procedure have not been improved during the last 20 years. When performed because of hemorrhagic shock, pneumonectomy is almost always fatal. We present a series of four patients who underwent total pneumonectomy in our trauma center. The main purpose of this study was to describe pathophysiologic changes and to discuss possible therapeutic alternatives based on the literature review after this operation.