[Unsuccessful treatment of pneumothorax which was associated with hilar tumor].

The authors present a case of unsuccessful treatment of pneumothorax which was associated with hilar tumor. A typical underwater-seal system was installed in a 79-year-old patient, but the lung was still collapsed. Because of prolonged air leak, the patient was operated on. During the surgical procedure several bullae in the lung and the inoperable hilar carcinoma were diagnosed. Despite the absence of air leak, the failure of the lung to re-expand was noted postoperatively. However, recurrent air leak, subcutaneous emphysema and respiratory failure caused the patient's death.