Right lower lobectomy eight years after left pneumonectomy for a second primary lung cancer

Lobectomy for second primary lung cancer in a patient with previous pneumonectomy is seldom done because most such patients either have inadequate pulmonary reserve or metastatic disease at other sites. This is different than when this type of surgery is done for benign disease where the lobe to be resected is already non functional. We report a case where successful right lower lobectomy for a second primary lung cancer was carried out in a 53 year old man who had had a left pneumonectomy eight years before. We conclude that, although this type of approach can be worthwhile, surgeons must be cautious and selective before doing so.