Surgical treatment for postpneumonectomy syndrome

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Pulmonology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Postpneumonectomy syndrome (PPS) is a rare but serious complication following lung removal surgery.
• It is characterized by significant mediastinal shift, leading to airway compression and respiratory distress.
• Surgical intervention for PPS is complex and has limited documented experience in some regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of successful surgical management of postpneumonectomy syndrome.
• To highlight the feasibility of performing this complex surgery in a center with no prior local experience.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of mediastinal repositioning with prosthetic implants for severe PPS.

Main Methods:

• A right pneumonectomy was performed for bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
• The patient subsequently developed severe postpneumonectomy syndrome.
• Surgical correction involving mediastinal repositioning with prosthetic implants was performed, with international collaboration.

Main Results:

• The surgical procedure resulted in immediate and significant improvement in respiratory function.
• The patient experienced sustained airway patency post-surgery.
• No signs of cancer recurrence were observed during follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Surgical management of postpneumonectomy syndrome is feasible and effective, even in centers with limited prior experience.
• Mediastinal repositioning using prosthetic implants is a viable treatment option for severe cases of PPS.
• This case underscores the value of international collaboration in managing rare and complex surgical complications.