LOBAR EXCLUSION AFTER TRANSPERICARDIAL HERNIATION IN A HEART-LUNG TRANSPLANTATION

Lobar herniation is a rare complication of heart-lung transplantation (HLT). We describe a case of right lower lobe herniation through the p ericardial window into the left pleural space diagnosed 54 days after operation. Extensive adhesions precluded a lobectomy through a right t horacotomy approach, therefore the lobe was simply excluded and left i n situ. The subsequent postoperative course, a CT-scan 2 years later a nd the 7 years survival time demonstrated that the lobe became fibrose d without any major sequelae. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.