title: Intrabronchial Pneumonectomy for Vanishing Lung Syndrome: First Reported Case.
abstract: Vanishing lung syndrome is a clinical presentation of giant bullous emphysema associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of a 50-year-old white woman with vanishing lung syndrome who presented with a spontaneous secondary pneumothorax and an uncontrolled bronchopleural fistula. The large bronchopleural fistula was initially controlled with a double-lumen endotracheal tube and a tube thoracostomy. After surgical efforts failed, complete left lung isolation was performed with multiple intrabronchial valves. In essence, a medical pneumonectomy was performed. The patient was weaned from mechanical ventilation and discharged to rehabilitation. She was ambulatory at 5-month follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ballay
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Soder
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Jeremiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Electronic address: amiller@actvsurgeons.com.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Headrick
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000601:surgery*