Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopic airway recanalization in patients with vanishing bronchus

Stenosis is the most frequent airway complication after lung transplantation. When complete obstruction is diagnosed without possibility of recanalization, options are generally limited to either resection or retransplantation, both associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We describe our experience with a novel technique using electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) to recanalize the occluded airway after lung transplantation.

Patients who underwent lung transplantation between 2010 and 2016 with subsequent development of complete airway obstruction and failed conventional recanalization attempts were included in this study. All patients underwent attempted recanalization using ENB. Primary outcomes included success of the technique and long-term patency. Secondary outcomes included procedure-related complications.

Four patients met inclusion criteria and underwent attempted recanalization using the ENB platform. Location of the obstruction was the bronchus intermedius in two patients, the lingular bronchus in one patient, and the left basilar bronchus in one patient. Mean length of stenosis was 8.8 mm. Three patients (75%) were successfully recanalized and all airways remain patent at 1, 48, and 66 mo. There were no procedure-related complications. The one patient who was unable to be recanalized successfully underwent bilobectomy and died 7 mo later.

ENB is a feasible method of airway recanalization in select patients with bronchial occlusion after lung transplantation. ENB recanalization spares lung parenchyma and avoids risks associated with surgical resection and retransplantation. This novel technique can be added to the armamentarium for thoracic surgeons who diagnose and treat this complicated problem.