Treatment of postpneumonectomy syndrome with silicone breast implant and chimeric latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscle flaps

Abstract

We report treatment of postpneumonectomy syndrome in a 11 years old boy by silicone breast implant and latissimus dorsi and serratus muscle flaps. The patient was admitted for with severe dyspnea and cough at the postoperative 5th month of pneumonectomy operation for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. Tomographic and bronchoscopic examinations revealed right mediastinal shift. Fibrotic tissue between heart and right pneumonectomy site was dissected, main bronchus was released and medialized. Dead space was filled with silicone breast implant. Latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscle flaps were used to cover and also to create a barrier between implant and major vessels.