title: Benign emptying of the postpneumonectomy space.
abstract: A drop in the air-fluid level in the postpneumonectomy space on a chest radiogram is an early sign of bronchopleural fistula (BPF). Any suspicion of BPF points to the need for urgent evaluation and appropriate management. Very rarely may this drop occur without the existence of a fistula, but such a condition is defined as benign emptying of the postpneumonectomy space. We share our successful conservative management in a case of postpneumonectomy space emptying with a suspicion of BPF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Hasan Volkan
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Mohan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mallipeddi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Javidfar
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Onaitis
keywords: Benign emptying; bronchopleural fistula; postpneumonectomy space