| The morbidity and mortality associated with donor pneumonectomy pose significant ethical considerations. |
| Ms. Terrazzano was told she had advanced lung cancer in 2004 and has since undergone three operations, including an extrapleural pneumonectomy, in which her right lung and part of the lining of her heart were removed. |
| Patients with peripheral tumors with or without metastases to hilar nodes are usually treated with surgical lobectomy or pneumonectomy. |
| Within 30 days after surgery, 91 patients died, 43 of whom patients had undergone pneumonectomy. |
| Gradual accumulation of fluid in the pneumonectomy space is expected and may take as long as 9 months to completely fill the cavity. |
| After pneumonectomy, a rapidly changing air fluid level may indicate intrapleural hemorrhage or bronchopleural fistula. |
