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Right postpneumonectomy gained dextrocardia

University of Medicine, Craiova, Romania

*Corresponding author. Address: Craiova, Imparatul Traian Street, P2-3, Sc 1, Ap 4, Romania Tel.: +40 723766778.

E-mail address: rodicatraistru{at}hotmail.com (R. Traistaru).

The negative pressure realized into the hemi thorax with lung pneumonectomy has consequences upon the mediastinum organ statics. This aspect results in expansion of the other lung. These changes are usual but limited in the adult lung pneumonectomy. In the right lung pneumonectomy, the mediastinum moves to the operated part and disturbs the function of the vessels and cavities with thin wall or low pressure (vena cava, right atrium). These aspects are not described in the left lung pneumonectomy. Taking into consideration the previous factors, we present a particular case of a young woman with right lung pneumonectomy; this intervention was made in childhood, at ten years of age. After sixteen years of evolution it was realized a real mediastinum reshuffle, the heart was moved in the right hemi thorax, with dextrocardia-like aspect. This case is interesting because it involves the positive and differential diagnosis problems – dextrocardia, associated disorders, real complications.

Key Words: Pneumonectomy; Childhood; Mediastinum reshuffle; Dextrocardia