Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a frequent complication of various cardiac procedures that involve entry into the pericardium, but rarely occurs after pulmonary surgery because the pericardium is usually preserved during this procedure. The standard treatment for PPS is the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs). Recent studies have indicated however, that
colchicine may be useful for the treatment and prevention of this syndrome. Here, we describe the successful use of
colchicine to treat PPS in a
lung cancer patient who developed this complication following a lung lobectomy. A 64-year-old woman with a stage IA lung
tumor underwent a left upper lobectomy with a mediastinal
lymph node dissection. Severe precordial
pain occurred 10 days after surgery, and accumulations of pericardial and pleural fluid were revealed by chest X-ray, echocardiogram, and chest computed tomography. These symptoms were not alleviated by
antibiotics, thoracic cavity drainage, or
NSAIDs. However, the administration of
colchicine (initial dose of 1.0 mg and maintenance dose of 0.5 mg daily for three months) in combination with
NSAIDs resolved these symptoms immediately after the first dosage. In addition, the patient remains free of any recurrent
pericarditis at six months after this episode.