There is sparse information concerning approaches to metachronous lung cancer in patients who had a previous pneumonectomy for lung carcinoma. We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman who underwent a left pneumonectomy for lung carcinoma. Four years later, a radiological examination revealed a hypermetabolic nodule in the right upper lobe, which was located in the left hemithorax because of right lung hyperinflation and a mediastinal shift to the left. Wedge resection was carried out through a left anterior mediastinotomy. We believe that an anterior mediastinotomy represents a valuable option for the management of recurrent lung cancer after previous surgery.
TerziALonardoniAScanagattaPPergherSBonadimanCCalabròF. Lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma after pneumonectomy: a safe and worthwhile procedure. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg2004; 25: 456–459.
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DoningtonJSMillerDLRowlandCC. Subsequent pulmonary resection for bronchogenic carcinoma after pneumonectomy. Ann Thorac Surg2002; 74: 154–158.
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GrodzkiTAlchimowiczJKozakA. Additional pulmonary resections after pneumonectomy: actual long-term survival and functional results. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg2008; 34: 493–498.
