Pneumopericardium after pneumonectomy and lobectomy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• Pneumopericardium is a rare condition, typically associated with infants on artificial ventilation for hyaline membrane disease.
• There are no previously published reports of pneumopericardium following pulmonary surgery.

Observation:

• This report details two cases of pneumopericardium after pulmonary surgery.
• One case involved tension pneumopericardium after a pneumonectomy and artificial ventilation.
• The second case occurred after a radical lobectomy and artificial ventilation.

Findings:

• Radiographic findings in both cases included pneumopericardium and subcutaneous emphysema.
• The patient who underwent pneumonectomy experienced severe symptoms of cardiac tamponade.
• Prolonged artificial ventilation in post-pulmonary surgery patients with air leaks poses a significant risk.

Implications:

• The findings highlight the potential hazard of prolonged artificial ventilation in patients with intrathoracic air leaks post-pulmonary surgery.
• Prompt surgical intervention is critical for tension pneumopericardium.
• Thoracotomy with pericardiotomy is the recommended treatment for tension pneumopericardium.