Preconditioning Surgery for Pneumonectomy: A Case Report of Contralateral Lung Bullectomy

The preferred treatment for non-small cell lung cancer is surgical resection, and pneumonectomy may be necessary for centrally located tumors. Adequate pulmonary reserve is critical for pneumonectomy; otherwise, nonsurgical treatment options should be considered. Some patients who are initially inoperable due to insufficient pulmonary function may become surgical candidates after rehabilitation interventions. Here, we present a case of right bullectomy followed by left pneumonectomy successfully performed in a patient with bilateral giant bullous lung disease and a left hilar mass. The patient has remained complication- and recurrence-free for 2 years.