Download PDF
Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012; 60(02): 167-169
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1271182
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Lobar Torsion after Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy: 2 Case Reports

L. Duan
1   Tongji University Affiliated Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China
,
X. Chen
1   Tongji University Affiliated Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China
,
G. Jiang
1   Tongji University Affiliated Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

06 March 2011
18 April 2011

26 April 2011

Publication Date:
21 June 2011 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints All articles of this category

Abstract

Lung torsion is a rare but potentially lethal complication after pulmonary resection. We report two cases of right middle lobar torsion after video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) right upper lobectomy in our unit. The two cases were diagnosed definitely 7 and 14 days after VATS surgery by computed tomography (CT) scan and bronchoscopy, respectively. Rethoracotomy and right middle lobectomy were performed in both patients. VATS lobectomy contributes to the development of lobar torsion so this complication should be considered. Carefully checking anatomical structures before thoracotomic closure and correctly suturing the middle lobe to the consecutive lobe are effective ways to prevent this complication.

Keywords

thoracoscopy/VATS - surgery - complications - lung - benign or congenital lesions
 

  • References

  • 1 Cable DG, Deschamps C, Allen MS, Miller DL, Nichols FC, Trastek VF , et al. Lobar torsion after pulmonary resection: presentation and outcome. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001; 122: 1091-1093
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Larsson S, Lepore V, Dernevik L, Nilsson F, Selin K. Torsion of a lung lobe: diagnosis and treatment. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1988; 36: 281-283
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Keagy BA, Lores ME, Starek PJ, Murray GF, Lucas CL, Wilcox BR. Elective pulmonary lobectomy: factors associated with morbidity and operative mortality. Ann Thorac Surg 1985; 40: 349-352
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Schamaun M. Postoperative pulmonary torsion: report of a case and survey of the literature including spontaneous and posttraumatic torsion. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1994; 42: 116-121
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Felson B. Lung torsion: radiographic findings in nine cases. Radiology 1987; 162: 631-638
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Velmachos GC, Franhouse J, Ciccolo M. Pulmonary torsion of the right upper lobe after middle lobectomy for a stab wound to the chest. J Trauma 1998; 44: 920-922
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Apostolakis E, Koletsis EN, Panagopoulos N, Prokakis C, Dougenis D. Fatal stroke after completion pneumonectomy for torsion of left upper lobe following left lower lobectomy. J Cardiothorac Surg 2006; 12: 25
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Charles C, Sticco DO, Shahriyour A. Middle lobar torsion after right upper lobectomy: a report of video-assisted thoracoscopic management. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 134: 1090-1091
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar