[Diaphragmatic hernia following pneumonectomy; report of a case].
We report a case of diaphragmatic hernia following left pleuropneumonectomy. A 70-year-old man was referred to our hospital after tube drainage for 3 months due to left pyothorax. He had a past history of left lung tuberculosis. Pleuropneumonectomy with partial resection of the muscle layer of the diaphragm was performed because adhesion of pleurae was severe. On the 19th postoperative day, he started to develop a slight fever. Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated diaphragmatic hernia. On the 22nd postoperative day, we performed surgery because panperitonitis developed. At laparotomy, the transverse colon was pierced by the cut end of the rib. We successfully repaired the diaphragm and established transverse colostomy. The patient has been in good health for more than 10 years after the surgery.