Thoracoscopic mediastinal repositioning for postpneumonectomy syndrome

Abstract

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is characterized by excessive mediastinal rotation and shift resulting in main bronchial obstruction. 1 More common in children, women, and those undergoing their first thoracic procedure, this entity of symptomatic airway compression may occur after right or left pneumonectomy. 2,3 Symptoms including stridor, dyspnea, and recurrent respiratory infections should be investigated by computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy. Patients found to have postpneumonectomy syndrome should undergo prompt therapy to alleviate their symptoms and prevent irreversible malacic changes of the airway. Here we report thoracoscopic mediastinal repositioning with intrapleural prostheses in a young woman in whom dyspnea and stridor developed after a right pneumonectomy.