Ipsilateral pulmonary infarction after major lung resection

Background Lung infarction is a rare complication of lung resection, developing mainly because of technical errors. In some cases, a specific reason cannot be identified. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, characteristics, and outcome of this pathology in a series of patients. Methods The medical records of patients who underwent reoperation for lung infarction without an apparent cause (based on imaging, reoperation findings, and histopathology) after major lung resection at our institution from 2006 to 2015, were investigated. Results Seven patients were identified. The mean age was 62.2 years (range 51–75 years), and 5 were male. Copious dissection or adverse events during surgery were recorded in all but 2 cases. The main presenting symptom was unsettling frank hemoptysis (4 cases) with a variable time of onset of symptoms (4–164 h). All reoperations necessitated further lung resection (4 patients had a further lobectomy and 3 had a completion pneumonectomy). During reoperation, all vessels and bronchi were intact. No apparent cause of infarction could be identified according to the histopathology report. Morbidity after reoperation was atrial fibrillation in 3 cases and bronchopleural fistula in 2, one of which required a transsternal pneumonectomy and this was the only mortality. Length of stay ranged from 8 to 90 days. Conclusion Ipsilateral lung infarction after lobectomy is a rare complication and the reason may not be identifiable. Treatment usually requires reoperation. Extensive manipulation or adverse events during surgery could induce this rare complication.