Management of medical complications after pneumonectomy

Pneumonectomy is still a surgical alternative for some patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. However, it is associated with a significant incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality, far higher than other pulmonary resections, and therefore should only be considered when a more conservative resection is not technically feasible or oncologically adequate. Careful preoperative evaluation of patients’ functional status is mandatory and stringent postoperative care with early diagnosis and appropriate management is crucial to minimize the risk of medical complications, to reduce mortality, and to improve quality of life of pneumonectomy patients.