Pulmonary aspergilloma. Results of surgical treatment

Between 1953 and 1984, 53 patients (40 male and 13 female) underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma. The median age was 58 years (range 4 to 86 years). Either underlying lung disease or immunologic risk factors were present in 49 patients (92%). Twenty-one patients (31%) had simple aspergilloma and 32 (47%) had complex aspergilloma. The most common indication for operation was an indeterminate mass, hemoptysis, or severe cough. Lobectomy, wedge excision, and pneumonectomy were the most frequent operations. Complications occurred in 78% of patients with complex aspergilloma and in 33% of patients with simple aspergilloma (p = 0.002). Operative mortality was 5% (one death) in patients with simple aspergilloma and 34% (11 deaths) in patients with complex aspergilloma (p = 0.01). Cause of death was respiratory failure in four patients, underlying pulmonary disease in three, aspergillosis in two, and other conditions in three. At follow-up, 84% of operative survivors with simple aspergilloma were alive and well compared with 43% of those with complex aspergilloma. Although operative mortality in patients with complex aspergilloma was high, 67% of the survivors had a good long-term result in terms of absence of symptoms, but they frequently died of underlying disease. In contrast, operation in patients with simple aspergilloma was done with low risk, and approximately 90% of survivors had a good late result. Late appearance of contralateral disease did occur and argues for rigorous postoperative surveillance.