A rare complication of videothoracoscopic surgery; lung herniation

We present three cases of lung herniation as a complication of videothoracoscopic surgery.Case: Three patients with the history of videothoracoscopic lung resection for lung cacner, admitted to our clinic at different times with similar complaintments like chest pain, bulge on the chest wall and cought(table). Herniated lung parenchyma was detected in thorax computed tomography. Surgical repair of lung herniation was planned. The postoperative period of all three patients was uneventful.CaseAge/GenderPrevious OperationComplaintPotential Predisposing FactorRepairmentRecurrence163/MRULChest pain and bulge on the chest wallCOPDPolytetrafluoroethylene patchNo265/MLeft upper lobe wedgeChest painObesityGoretex patchNo358/FRUL+lower lobe wedgeChronic cough and Chest painChronic coughPolytetrafluoroethylene patchNoDiscussion: Postoperative lung herniation has reported before as a complication of anterior thoracotomy in literature. Because the thoracic cage has inherent weakness anteriorly, there are an increased risk of lung herniation in anterior thoracotomies. Due to similar causes there are an increased risk in VATS procedures. Some predisposing factors defined in literature like increase intrathoracic pressure such as coughing and strenuous lifting, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory or neoplastic processes and chronic steroid usage.Asymptomatic lung hernias may be managed by close observation. But because of chronic chest pain and the risk of incarceration and s...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Thoracic surgery Source Type: research