Videothoracoscopic pleurectomy after contralateral single-lung transplantation.

Left single-lung transplantation in a 46-year-old man was complicated by spontaneous contralateral pneumothorax during the immediate postoperative period. This persisted despite chemical pleurodesis, but was successfully treated by videothoracoscopic pleurectomy, with minimal effect on respiratory function. The increasing use of single-lung transplantation for emphysema may increase the incidence of such problems from the native lung. Minimally invasive techniques may be of great clinical benefit in this situation.