Pneumonectomy for Swyer-James syndrome to control refractory infection

Abstract

Swyer-James syndrome is a rare disease known as unilateral hyperlucent lung syndrome. It is caused by decreased pulmonary vascularity and hyperinflation.

Most patients have no symptoms. Although patients are usually followed up without medical care, few cases have surgical indications. Case: A 24-year-old male patient who has been followed up for Swyer-James syndrome since 1 year and 8 months old. He underwent pneumonectomy for infection control. During the operation, we identified no congenital anomaly involving the pulmonary artery or bronchus. There was no adhesion between the left lung and visceral pleura. He was discharged 12 days after the operation and the post-operative course has been uneventful. Most patients are followed up with no medical care. However, few cases, such as patients with marked hemoptysis or infection that show resistance to medical treatment, are recommended for surgery. In this case, the patient had bronchiectasis and repeated infection that destroyed the lung. This is rare case requiring pneumonectomy for Swyer-James syndrome, but we could achieve a good outcome by pneumonectomy. We have to consider the surgical indication cautiously.