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Updated: May 16, 2026
07:27
Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
Published on: January 23, 2026
[Right postpneumonectomy syndrome: case report].
Germán Bonetto1, Mónica Centeno, Hugo Botto
1Hospital de Pediatría S.A.M.I.C. Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina. germanbonetto_@hotmail.com
Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Postpneumonectomy syndrome in children is rare. A novel aortic bypass using a prosthetic tube graft successfully treated a 4-year-old boy with airway obstruction after lung removal for a tumor.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare complication following lung removal.
- It can lead to severe respiratory distress due to mediastinal shift.
- Intrathoracic tumors requiring pneumonectomy are a known cause in pediatric cases.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old boy presented with progressive respiratory distress after right pneumonectomy for an intrathoracic tumor.
- The patient experienced extrinsic airway obstruction from displaced mediastinal structures.
- Conventional intubation and mechanical ventilation weaning were unsuccessful.
Findings:
- Mediastinal repositioning was not feasible for airway obstruction.
- A surgical intervention involving an aortic bypass with a prosthetic tube graft was performed.
- The procedure resulted in a favorable outcome, resolving the airway obstruction.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential treatment strategy for complex postpneumonectomy syndrome in children.
- Aortic bypass grafting can be a viable option when mediastinal repositioning fails.
- Successful management led to the patient's recovery and hospital discharge.
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