Factors affecting survival after anatomical lung resection in pulmonary aspergilloma: Our 10-year single institution experience

The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent anatomic lung resection for pulmonary aspergilloma and to evaluate the prognostic factors affecting early postoperative morbidity.

Between January 2007 and January 2017, we retrospectively evaluated a total of 55 patients (40 males, 15 females; mean age: 44.6 years; range, 18 to 75 years) who underwent lobectomy and pneumonectomy for pulmonary aspergilloma. All patients were evaluated for simple or complex aspergilloma based on imaging and thoracotomy findings.

Thirty-two (58.2%) patients presented with hemoptysis. Seven (12.7%) patients underwent emergency surgery due to massive hemoptysis. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 15 (27.3%) patients. Prognostic factors that had an effect on morbidity were resection type, Charlson Comorbidity Index >3, and massive hemoptysis (p<0.05). There was no intra- or postoperative mortality. The five-year survival rate was 89.4%. None of the factors evaluated in the study were associated with survival.

The main finding of this study is the absence of mortality after surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma. The success of surgical treatment depends on the management of postoperative complications.