Pulmonary torsion following right upper lobectomy.

Abstract

We report on a case of postoperative lobar torsion in a 51-year-old woman following right upper lobectomy. A right middle lobar torsion was diagnosed by postoperative observation with chest X-ray and bronchofiberscopy. An emergency rethoracotomy was performed and a middle lobectomy was carried out. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 17th day after rethoracotomy. Careful postoperative observation with chest radiography and bronchofiberscopy is important for the precise diagnosis of a lobar torsion. In a case of lobar torsion following lobectomy, rethoracotomy should be immediately carried out.