AN OPERATIVE CASE OF CONTRALATERAL PNEUMOTHORAX AFTER LEFT PNEUMONECTOMY

An operative case of contralateral pneumothorax after pneumonectomy is reported, with areview of literatures. The patient, a 57-year-old male, had left pneumonectomy 26 years ago for pulmonary tuberculosis. He had been readmitted twice for this year because of recurrence of pneumothorax. Pulmonary function tests disclosed restricted pattern (%VC 35%), but pulmonary hypertension was not recognized. Axillary thoracotomy was carried out, and bullae at S3, S6 and S8 were resected. Intra and post-operative course was uneventful without complication. Only 6 operative cases have been noted in the literature in Japan.