![Full Text of PDF](img/ico_pdf_full.gif)
Article in Japanese
A case of acute respiratory failure as a result of postpneumonectomy syndrome successfully treated by intrathoracic gas injection therapy
Satoru Senooa Toshio Kubob Kiichiro Ninomiyac Toshiaki Okadaa Kazuhiro Washiod Shingo Haritaa
aDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Chugoku Central Hospital
bCenter for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital
cDepartment of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital
dDepartment of Surgery, Chugoku Central Hospital
Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare complication of pneumonectomy. We experienced a case of acute respiratory failure resulting from postpneumonectomy syndrome that was dramatically improved by intrathoracic gas injection therapy. A 52-year-old man who underwent left pneumonectomy as a result of lung adenocarcinoma (cT2aN1M0, stage IIA) about 1 year previously developed severe respiratory distress and was taken to our hospital by ambulance. His right lung was markedly expanded, and the mediastinum was significantly displaced to the left side on a chest X-ray. His trachea and bronchus were extended and compressed by the aorta and vertebral body on the CT scan. We determined that these constructive changes had caused his respiratory disturbances. Immediately after the injection of air into his left thoracic space through a chest drainage tube, his mediastinal position was corrected, and his respiratory distress dramatically improved. After 1 month, we injected C3F8 gas instead of air to maintain this effect. He currently receives this treatment once every 3 months and has maintained a good clinical condition. Although several issues regarding intrathoracic gas injection therapy must be kept in mind, this procedure can be considered minimally invasive and clinically useful.
Postpneumonectomy syndrome Acute respiratory failure C3F8 Intrathoracic gas injection Chemotherapy
Received 30 Dec 2014 / Accepted 25 Jun 2015
AJRS, 4(6): 488-491, 2015