[Clinical application of the thoracic balloon for postpneumonectomy patients]

Pneumonectomy may result in complications such as continuous intrathoracic bleeding and mediastinal shift. We used a thoracic balloon made of silicone rubber in 15 postpneumonectomy patients in an attempt to prevent such complications. Two types of thoracic balloons were used in our series. Type 1 thoracic balloon is a simple balloon requiring cooperation with a drainage tube, and Type 2 is a combination balloon and drainage tube. During surgery, air was injected into the thoracic balloon through an air filter. After removal of the thoracic balloon, infusion of sulfur hexafluoride, SF 6, into the thoracic cavity was performed on the 7th to 10th postoperative days. Placement of thoracic balloons in the pleural space after pneumonectomy is a simple, safe and useful method of preventing both intrathoracic bleeding and mediastinal shift.