Surgery for tumour recurrence in a pneumonectomy space

Abstract

Reoperative surgery through a previous pneumonectomy space focuses on the management of postpneumonectomy empyemas and bronchopleural fistulae. There are reports of elective tracheal resections done through the pneumonectomy space. We report two cases of successful excision of recurrent tumours (leiomyosarcoma and carcinoid) performed through the previous pneumonectomy space 2 and 13 years, respectively, after the primary surgical resection. #

Respiratory

“…However, respiratory muscle strength may be preserved [13]. In a pneumonectomy, removal of the entire lung, dramatic changes in thoracic anatomy take place, such as elevation of the hemidiaphragm, hyperinflation of the remaining lung, and influx of fluid into the postpneumonectomy space [14,15].…”