• Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China;
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Abstract: Lung torsion is a very rare clinical event and characterized by rotation of entire lung or individual lobes around the proximal bronchus or blood vessel pedicle in a single direction. The outcomes of lung torsion vary according to different rotation degree. Mild lung rotation may cause hemodynamic changes of the rotated pulmonary tissue. Severe lung rotation may lead to pulmonary venous congestion, lung infarction, systemic intoxication symptoms, ischemia, hypoxia, respiratory failure, severe infection or even death. There are a number of causes of lung torsion, including thoracic  surgery, blunt chest trauma, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pleural effusion and lung transplantation. The majority of lung torsion cases occur after thoracic surgeries especially lobectomy, with the right middle lobe being most easily endangered after right upper lobectomy. Lung torsion does not have typical clinical manifestations and thus is difficult to be differentiated  from other diseases. Patients with lung torsion often cannot receive correct diagnosis, proper intervention and treatment in time, which may lead to a high mortality. This review focuses on the morbidity, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of lung torsion.

Citation: XIA Yan,JIANG Gening,DING Jiaan.. Lung Torsion after Lobectomy:Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2013, 20(1): 91-94. doi: Copy