A case of simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax after the Nuss procedure

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2016 Jun;64(6):347-50. doi: 10.1007/s11748-014-0489-4. Epub 2014 Oct 29.

Abstract

We present a case of simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax caused by a pleuro-pleural communication formed from Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. A 17-year-old man with a history of Nuss operation complained chest pain and dyspnea. A chest roentgenogram demonstrated a tiny bilateral pneumothorax and two metallic bars inserted at the Nuss procedure. Computed tomography revealed furthermore a bulla in the apex of the left lung. The bilateral pneumothorax critically deteriorated after 4 days from onset and urgent bilateral chest drainages were performed. Nevertheless the drainages the full expansion of both lungs was not obtained and air leakage only from left side was continued. A video-assisted left bullectomy was performed 9 days after the tube insertion. The two bars penetrating anterior mediastinal pleura were thought to be a cause of the simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax.

Keywords: Nuss procedure; Simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Chest Tubes / adverse effects
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Funnel Chest / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pleura
  • Pneumothorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax / etiology*
  • Pneumothorax / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Reoperation
  • Respiratory Tract Fistula / etiology
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / etiology
  • Surgical Instruments / adverse effects
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome