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Published on: August 15, 2022
Early abdominal complications following heart and heart-lung transplantation
C J Watson1, N V Jamieson, P S Johnston
1Department of Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Insights
Abdominal complications occurred in 9.5% of heart and heart-lung transplant patients within 30 days. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention, like laparotomy, are crucial for successful management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Papworth Hospital's heart and heart-lung transplant program has a significant history.
- Abdominal complications are a known risk following major organ transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and types of early abdominal complications after heart and heart-lung transplantation.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical intervention in managing these complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 429 patients undergoing heart or heart-lung transplantation over 11 years.
- Analysis of patient records for abdominal complications within 30 days post-transplant.
- Assessment of surgical outcomes for patients requiring laparotomy.
Main Results:
- 41 out of 429 patients (9.5%) developed abdominal complications within 30 days.
- Common complications included pancreatitis, peptic ulceration, and pseudo-obstruction.
- 20 patients required surgery, with laparotomy being well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential for managing post-transplant abdominal complications.
- Laparotomy is a safe and effective diagnostic and therapeutic tool when an acute abdomen is suspected.
Abstract:
In the first 11 years of the heart and heart-lung transplantation programme at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, 356 patients underwent heart transplantation, and 73 patients received both heart and lungs. Out of 429 patients 41 (9.5 per cent) developed abdominal complications within the first 30 days, and 20 of the 41 required surgery. The complications included pancreatitis (10), peptic ulceration (8), and pseudo-obstruction (8), in addition to colonic perforation and small bowel obstruction. When laparotomy was performed it was well tolerated. This paper supports the view that successful management of abdominal complications following transplantation requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Where doubt exists in the presence of an acute abdomen, laparotomy is the appropriate way to establish a definitive diagnosis.
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