[Completion pneumonectomy. Indications and results]

Completion pneumonectomy (CP) is widely known to be associated with high morbidity and lethality. However, in certain instances, it offers the only chance for cure. The results of the following CPs (N=86) were investigated: progressive or recurrent benign disease (N=6, group I), recurrence of a malignant tumor (N=41, group II), and complication after lung resection (N=39, group III). Right completion pneumonectomy was carried out in 48 cases and left completion pneumonectomy in 38. The overall 30-day lethality of CP was 20.2%, 0% in group I, 10% n group II, and 33.3% n group III. This lethality was significantly higher on the right side (29.8%) than on the left (7.7%; P=0.014). Differentiation between emergency and urgent indications resulted in 30-day lethalities of 54% and 23%, respectively. This difference is significant (P=0.002). The 30-day lethality for patients with anastomotic or stump insufficiency was 41% (P=0.002). Five-year survival was 26% in the group of patients with malignant disease and 32% in those with complications after lung resection. The results show: the lethality of CP remains high, especially after complications from operating in emergency conditions. However, considering the long-term survival, CP is certainly justified.