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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
06:15
Murine Intrapulmonary Tracheal Transplantation: A Model for Investigating Obliterative Airway Disease After Lung Transplantation
Published on: November 10, 2023
Gastrointestinal complications after lung transplantation
Subroto Paul1, Cesar E Escareno, Kerri Clancy
1Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Summary
Gastrointestinal complications are frequent after lung transplantation, affecting 43% of patients and leading to significant mortality. Early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial for improving outcomes in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Transplant Surgery
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Gastrointestinal complications are a common but poorly understood issue following lung transplantation.
- This study investigates the incidence and spectrum of gastrointestinal complications in lung transplant recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the frequency and types of gastrointestinal complications after lung transplantation.
- To assess the impact of these complications on patient morbidity and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 208 lung transplant patients between August 1990 and June 2005.
- Gastrointestinal complications were defined as any post-transplant gastrointestinal diagnosis.
Main Results:
- 43% of patients (90 of 208) developed 113 gastrointestinal complications.
- Biliary etiology (12%) was most common, followed by diarrheal syndromes (10%), small bowel obstruction (5%), and gastroparesis (6%).
- Gastrointestinal complications directly caused 16% of deaths, with a 35% mortality rate for those requiring laparotomy (excluding cholelithiasis).
Conclusions:
- Gastrointestinal complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation.
- Close monitoring and timely intervention are essential for managing these post-transplant complications.
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