Abstract
We report an almost complete protrusion of the lung through the anterior chest wall
occurring as a complication following sternal dehiscence. Emergency treatment is mandatory
since it has a high potential for incarceration, hemopneumothorax, respiratory failure,
and infection. Twenty-eight days after coronary by-pass surgery, the left lung of
a 66-year-old male patient almost completely protruded through the sternotomy incision
in the chest wall; the lung tissue was successfully reduced and the sternotomy was
closed. Recurrence was not observed within the 6-month follow-up period, his general
condition was good. The clinical course of the patient was retrospectively reviewed,
and this case was reported with a unique complication.
Keywords
sternum - wound dehiscence - pleura - lung
