Learning objectives
Learn about major surgical techcniques and expectedpostsurgical imaging.
Describe clinical and imaging features of uncommon and relevant complications.
Background
INTRODUCTION
Any untoward event that is not part of the expected surgical procedure is generally defined as a complication.
These drawbacks might occur inall surgical management.
Because complications might potentially lead to increased morbidity and mortality,
it is important to achieve prompt and accurate detection of these events with the final purpose of an improved patient care.
Given the prevalence of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases,thoracic and cardiac surgeriesrespresent some of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide,
along withesophagectomy,
which remains the standard of care for...
Findings and procedure details
1.
LUNG SURGERY COMPLICATIONS
Lung resection is considered the treatment of choice for bronchogenic carcinoma as well as for intractable end-stage lung diseases,
such as tuberculosis and bronchiectasis.
Thoracic surgical procedures can be divided into:
Anatomic resections: pneumonectomy,
lobectomy and segmentectomy.
In these,
airwaysandpulmonary arteries and veins supplying the area of resection are carefully ifentified and ligated,
followed by regional parenchymal lymph node dissection.
Non-anatomic resections: wedge resections,
bullectomy and lung-volume reduction surgery.
Surgical procedure differs in each of themandso do the expected postoperative changes...
Conclusion
Because postoperative complications might be life-threatening and thus,
may require urgent intervention,
awareness of the spectrum of potential complications and timely recognition are important in optimizing patient care.
In this regard,
knowledge of the surgical techniques,
their expected postoperative imaging features and clinical and radiological findings of the potential complications improves diagnostic interpretation and reduces patient morbimortality.
References
Chae EJ,
Seo JB,
Kim SY,
et al.
Radiographic and CT Findings of Thoracic Complications after Pneumonectomy.
RadioGraphics 2006; 26:1449-1467.
Rotman JA,
Plodkowski AJ,
Hayes SA,
et al.
Postoperative complications after thoracic surgery for lung cancer.
Clinical Imaging 2015(30);735-749.
De Groot PM,
Shroff GS,
Carter BW,
et al.
Lung Cancer: Postoperative Imaging and Complications.
J Thorac Imaging 2017;32:276-287.
Alpert JB,
Godoy MCB,
de Groot PM,
et al.
Imaging the Post-Thoracotomy patient: Anatomic Changes and Postoperative Complications.
Radiol Clin N Am 2014 (52); 85-103.
Cicchetti G,...