Lobar torsion after pulmonary resection; report of two cases

Abstract

Lobar torsion is a rare complication after pulmonary resection. We report a case of right middle lobe torsion following a right upper lobectomy, and left lower lobe torsion following a left upper lobectomy. Careful postoperative clinical observation, chest radiography, fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), and computed tomography (CT) are crucial for precise diagnosis of lobar torsion following pulmonary resection. Both patients underwent re-thoracotomy; a middle lobectomy and completion pneumonectomy were performed. In the clinical management of lobar torsion urgent diagnosis and conclusive surgical resection is needed to avoid mortality and morbidity.