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Pulmonary resection following lung transplantation
Torin P Fitton1, Brian T Bethea, Marvin C Borja
1The Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|November 7, 2003
Summary
Major pulmonary resections after lung transplantation are safe. Early intervention can improve outcomes for these patients, with 5 of 11 surviving post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic surgery
- Transplant surgery
- Pulmonary medicine
Background:
- Lung transplantation has higher morbidity than other solid organ transplants.
- Outcomes after pulmonary resection post-lung transplant are not well-understood.
- This study evaluates factors influencing outcomes of pulmonary resections in lung transplant recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and outcomes of pulmonary resections performed after lung transplantation.
- To identify variables affecting patient outcomes in this specific population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of a lung transplant database.
- Analysis of data from 136 lung transplants performed between August 1995 and February 2002.
- Evaluation of 12 pulmonary resections (7 lobectomies, 5 wedge resections) in 11 patients.
Main Results:
- Indications for resection included infection, mass, infarction, and native lung hyperinflation.
- Mean time to resection was 12.4 months post-transplant.
- Survival post-resection averaged 17.2 months, with 5 of 11 patients surviving.
Conclusions:
- Major pulmonary resections can be performed safely in lung transplant recipients.
- Early intervention is recommended to optimize outcomes.
- No bronchial stump leaks were observed after lobectomy.