BACKGROUND: Previous reports have described bronchial obstruction after left pneumonectomy (so-called post-pneumonectomy syndrome) in the presence of a right aortic arch with the bronchus being compressed between the ascending aorta and thoracic spine. This study reports on 4 patients with left postpneumonectomy syndrome in the presence of a normally located left aortic arch and ascending thoracic aorta. METHODS: The case histories of 4 patients with this syndrome were reviewed and several features common to all 4 were noted. In each case, the obstruction was thought to be due to a clockwise rotation of the mediastinum with bronchial compression occurring between the right main pulmonary artery and thoracic spine. RESULTS: Three patients were treated by repositioning of the mediastinum, and all 3 obtained relief of their dyspnea. In these cases, permanent repositioning was ensured by the insertion of a prosthesis filled with saline solution. The fourth patient was successfully treated by resection of a portion of the adjacent thoracic vertebra. CONCLUSIONS: Postpneumonectomy syndrome can occur after a left pneumonectomy in the absence of a right aortic arch. We suggest that mediastinal repositioning with a prosthesis filled with saline solution is simple, is safe, and results in complete relief of preoperative symptoms.
BACKGROUND: Previous reports have described bronchial obstruction after left pneumonectomy (so-called post-pneumonectomy syndrome) in the presence of a right aortic arch with the bronchus being compressed between the ascending aorta and thoracic spine. This study reports on 4 patients with left postpneumonectomy syndrome in the presence of a normally located left aortic arch and ascending thoracic aorta. METHODS: The case histories of 4 patients with this syndrome were reviewed and several features common to all 4 were noted. In each case, the obstruction was thought to be due to a clockwise rotation of the mediastinum with bronchial compression occurring between the right main pulmonary artery and thoracic spine. RESULTS: Three patients were treated by repositioning of the mediastinum, and all 3 obtained relief of their dyspnea. In these cases, permanent repositioning was ensured by the insertion of a prosthesis filled with saline solution. The fourth patient was successfully treated by resection of a portion of the adjacent thoracic vertebra. CONCLUSIONS: Postpneumonectomy syndrome can occur after a left pneumonectomy in the absence of a right aortic arch. We suggest that mediastinal repositioning with a prosthesis filled with saline solution is simple, is safe, and results in complete relief of preoperative symptoms.
Authors: Jae Jun Jung; Jong Ho Cho; Hong Kwan Kim; Yong Soo Choi; Jhingook Kim; Jae Ill Zo; Young Mog Shim Journal: Thorac Cancer Date: 2015-06-05 Impact factor: 3.500