Non-operative management of extralobar pulmonary sequestration: a safe alternative to resection?

This retrospective cohort study compares the natural history of patients with extralobar sequestrations (ELS) who do not undergo intervention with those who undergo resection to assess the safety of non-operative management.

126 patients with pulmonary sequestrations or congenital pulmonary airway malformations born between 1999 and 2016 were identified. 49 patients had ELS on postnatal imaging, but two were excluded for associated congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed, with phone follow-up for non-operative patients with no records for > 1 year. Statistical analysis was by Fisher's exact test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test (two-tailed p < 0.05).

40% (19/47) were managed non-operatively and 60% (28/47) underwent resection. Non-operative patients were less likely to have an intrathoracic ELS: 47% (9/19) vs. 75% (21/28), p = 0.07. No symptoms were attributable directly to the ELS. Non-operative patients had median follow-up 3.2 years, during which time 88% (15/17) of ELS decreased in size on serial imaging. For patients who underwent resection, there was 100% concordance between imaging and intraoperative findings. There was no evidence of inflammation, infection or malignancy on final pathology, though 57% (16/28) of resected lesions had foci of non-aerated cysts.

Although further longitudinal study is required, this study supports the safety of non-operative ELS management.