Abstract
Complications after pneumonectomy include continuous intrathoracic bleeding and mediastinal shift. The thoracic balloon was used in 11 postpneumonectomy patients (8 with lung cancer and 3 with empyema) in an attempt to prevent such complications. Pneumonectomy was performed in 9 patients, pleuropneumonectomy in 1, and omental plombage in 1.
During surgery, 450 to 600 ml of air was injected into the thoracic balloon through an air filter. Type 1 thoracic balloon were used in 9 patients, and Type 2 (combination of balloon and drainage tube) in 2. Infusion of sulfur hexafluoride, SF6, into thoracic cavity was performed in 8 patients after removal of the thoracic balloon.
The respiratory and circulatory systems were stable in patients with thoracic balloons on the second postoperative day, and no significant complications were observed in any of the patients with thoracic balloons. In summary, it is believed that the placement of thoracic balloons in the pleural space after pneumonectomy is a simple, safe and useful method of preventing both intrathoracic bleeding and mediastinal shift.
