[Endoscopic treatment of bronchial complications after lung transplantation]

To analyze the incidence and structure of bronchial complications following lung transplantation and evaluate an effectiveness of endoscopic treatment of these events.

The study enrolled 50 patients after bilateral lung transplantation (24 men and 26 women). Mean age of patients was 35.4±5 (19; 61) years. Ischemia of bronchial mucous membrane of the transplant was intraoperatively and postoperatively analyzed. We also assessed severity and prevalence of anastomotic and non-anastomotic cicatricial bronchial stenoses.

All patients after lung transplantation were diagnosed with bronchial complications, i.e. ischemia of bronchial mucous membrane of the transplant. In 76% of patients, these complications did not require endoscopic treatment. Surgical and endoscopic treatment was required in 24% of cases. Three patients (6%) underwent intraoperative correction of bronchial anastomosis. Bronchial suture failure was diagnosed in 3 patients (6%), cicatricial bronchial stenosis - in 6 (12%) cases. Endoscopic stenting was effective for recovery of bronchial patency with complete epithelialization of mucous membrane. Stenting of lobar bronchus with application of mitomycin C was effective in patients with non-anastomotic stenoses type III after lung transplantation.

Major bronchial complications occurred in 24% of patients after lung transplantation. Endoscopic treatment of bronchial complications using a self-fixing silicone endoprosthesis after lung transplantation was effective in all patients with anastomotic and non-anastomotic cicatricial strictures. Mitomycin C prevented excessive growth of granulation and scar tissue.