[Postoperative complications after thoracic surgery]

Postoperative complications after pneumonectomy, lobectomy, or wedge resection are relatively frequent and potentially significant. Chest radiographs and CT have a crucial role in the early detection and prompt management of these complications. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the most frequent or severe complications, based on the timing of occurrence. Early complications include bronchopleural fistula, empyema, atelectasis, pneumonia, hemothorax, chylothorax, pulmonary edema, lobar torsion, cardiac hernia, gossypiboma and esophagopleural fistula. Late complications include bronchopleural fistula, esophagopleural fistula, postpneumonectomy syndrome, chest wall arteriovenous fistula and local tumor recurrence.