Articles: postoperative-complications.
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Pneumonectomy with partial pericardiectomy may result in herniation of the heart through the pericardial defect, leading to cardiovascular collapse and death. Awareness of this grave potential complication and familarity with its clinical and roentgenographic features should permit prompt diagnosis and facilitate lifesaving repeat thoracotomy.
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The risk of bacterial sepsis in the surgically or functionally asplenic host is reviewed. The lowest morbidity occurs in patients splenectomized because of trauma to the spleen; the highest morbidity occurs in patients splenectomized for thalassemia. ⋯ Finally, alternatives to and indications for splenectomy as well as prophylactic measures are considered. It is concluded that, at the present time, antibiotic coverage for an indefinite period of time may be indicated for surgically or functionally asplenic patients.