Contralateral Pulmonary Resection after Pneumonectomy

J Chest Surg. 2024 Mar 5;57(2):145-151. doi: 10.5090/jcs.23.115. Epub 2024 Feb 7.

Abstract

Background: Contralateral pulmonary resection after pneumonectomy presents considerable challenges, and few reports in the literature have described this procedure.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent contralateral lung resection following pneumonectomy for any reason at our institution between November 1994 and December 2020.

Results: Thirteen patients (9 men and 4 women) were included in this study. The median age was 57 years (range, 35-77 years), and the median preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 1.64 L (range, 1.17-2.12 L). Contralateral pulmonary resection was performed at a median interval of 44 months after pneumonectomy (range, 6-564 months). Surgical procedures varied among the patients: 10 underwent single wedge resection, 2 were treated with double wedge resection, and 1 underwent lobectomy. Diagnoses at the time of contralateral lung resection included lung cancer in 7 patients, lung metastasis from other cancers in 3 patients, and tuberculosis in 3 patients. Complications were observed in 4 patients (36%), including acute kidney injury, pneumothorax following chest tube removal, pneumonia, and prolonged air leak. No cases of operative mortality were noted.

Conclusion: In carefully selected patients, contralateral pulmonary resection after pneumonectomy can be accomplished with acceptable operative morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Contralateral pulmonary resection; Pneumonectomy; Postoperative complication.

Grants and funding

Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.