Asymptomatic expectoration of surgical staples complicating lung volume reduction surgery.
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has recently been introduced as a palliative treatment for patients with severe emphysema. The most common postoperative complication is persistent air leak requiring prolonged tube thoracostomy. We describe a unique case of a patient with severe emphysema who underwent LVRS and presented, about a year later, with the repeated expectoration of surgical staples.
Ahmed
S
S
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA.
Marzouk
K A
KA
Bhuiya
T A
TA
Iqbal
M
M
Rossoff
L J
LJ
D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000601:surgery*; D013528:Surgical Staplers