Tumor embolus in lung surgery. A case report and review of the literature.

A 71-year-old man underwent a completion pneumonectomy for a recurrent carcinosarcoma of the left upper lobe. A single lumen endotracheal tube was used for intubation. During dissection the right main bronchus became blocked by a tumor mass. Due to severe adhesions it was impossible to open the airway from inside the operation field. This neither was also not possible by bronchoscopic maneuvers and the patient died. The case is similar to six cases described in the literature since 1966 [4-7, 9, 10]. Recommendations for preventing and treating the complications are given.