Intraoperative diagnosis of torsion of the left lung after repair of a disruption of the descending thoracic aorta.

Abstract

LUNG torsion is an uncommon event, although if unrecognized may be fatal. Torsion of a single lobe' or of the entire lung has been reported after intrathoracic procedures. Torsion may also occur after blunt chest trauma,3 occur as a complication of a pneumonia,4 a pneumothorax, 5 a diaphragmatic hernia, 6 or occur spontaneously when it involves an accessory lobe 7 or an intraluminal mass. 8 The authors describe a case of an intraoperative diagnosis of complete torsion of the left lung and the hemodynamic sequelae of surgical detorsion of the lung.