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Sudden cardiac herniation 6 months after right pneumonectomy
Friso T Zandberg1, Stephen J M E Verbeke, Repke J Snijder
1Departments of Pulmonology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Lung Center Utrecht, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The, Netherlands. kuilberg@planet.nl
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|September 1, 2004
Summary
Cardiac herniation, a rare and fatal complication of intrapericardial pneumonectomy, typically occurs within 24 hours. This case report details a unique instance of cardiac herniation occurring six months post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Medical Complications
Background:
- Intrapericardial pneumonectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of lung tissue within the pericardium.
- Cardiac herniation is a known, albeit rare, complication following this surgery, usually presenting within 24 hours post-operation.
Observation:
- A patient developed total cardiac herniation six months after undergoing a right intrapericardial pneumonectomy.
- The patient presented with symptoms indicative of superior vena cava syndrome.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates a delayed presentation of cardiac herniation, significantly longer than previously reported intervals.
- Surgical intervention, including thoracotomy for cardiac repositioning and pericardial repair with a patch, was successfully performed.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that cardiac herniation can occur much later after intrapericardial pneumonectomy than previously understood.
- This highlights the importance of long-term patient monitoring for potential delayed complications after thoracic surgery.