Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 22, 2025
Donor Posterior Atrial Flap Rotation for Left Atrial Cuff Reconstruction in Lung Transplantation
Published on: October 11, 2024
Lung surgery in children and their post-operative risk of respiratory infection
Mark A Fleming1, Thomas O Xu2, Jeffrey W Gander2
1Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1215 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. maf2de@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.
Insights
Children who undergo lung resection surgery do not face a higher risk of severe respiratory infections. Post-surgery infection rates in pediatric patients are comparable to the general community risk, aiding family counseling.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Respiratory Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Families of pediatric patients often inquire about increased severe respiratory infection risk after lung resection.
- Limited existing data addresses the actual risk of severe respiratory infections in children post-pulmonary resection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk of severe respiratory infections in pediatric patients following pulmonary resection surgery.
- To provide data-driven insights for counseling families on post-operative infection risks.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients undergoing pulmonary resection between August 2009 and January 2019.
- Data collection included patient demographics, surgical procedures, complications, and subsequent respiratory infection admissions.
Main Results:
- Fifty-seven pediatric patients met the inclusion criteria for the study.
- The 1-year post-surgery hospitalization rate for respiratory infections was 3.5% for viral upper respiratory illness and 1.8% for bacterial pneumonia.
- No influenza-related hospitalizations were recorded within the first year post-operation.
Conclusions:
- The risk of respiratory infection admission in the general pediatric population ranges from 3-21%.
- Pediatric patients who have undergone lung resection at this institution show a comparable risk of respiratory infection to the baseline community risk.
- These findings can assist in counseling pediatric patients and their families regarding the 1-year risk of infection after lung resection.
Purpose:
Pediatric surgeons at our institution are often asked by families about a theoretical increased risk of severe common upper respiratory infections in children status post lung resection. No data exist on this topic. We, therefore, aimed to examine the risk of severe respiratory infection in children after pulmonary resection.
Methods:
A chart review was conducted on all pediatric patients who underwent pulmonary resection between August 1st, 2009 and January 31st, 2019. Collected data included patient characteristics, operation, complications and any admission for respiratory infection.
Results:
Fifty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Resections included lobectomy (45.6%), segmentectomy (14.0%), and wedge resection (40.4%). Twelve (21.1%) were immunocompromised and 6 (10.5%) had post-operative complications. Within 1 year of surgery, 2 (3.5%) patients were hospitalized for a viral upper respiratory illness (URI), 1 (1.8%) for bacterial pneumonia, and none due to influenza.
Conclusion:
In the general pediatric population, the risk of admission for respiratory illness is 3-21%. At this institution, overall risk of respiratory infection after lung resection appears comparable to baseline community risk. Our findings could aid counseling pediatric patients and their families regarding the 1-year risk of infection after lung resection.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....