Surgical maneuvers for the management of bronchial complications in lung transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Many advances have substantially improved the clinical results of lung transplantation. However, the incidence of bronchial complications is still high, with significant impact on survival and limited interventional strategies for complex cases. Our aim is to evaluate the surgical management of bronchial complications following lung transplantation.


METHODS
From May 1989 to June 2007, 251 patients were submitted to lung transplantation at our institution. In five cases, the bronchial complications observed were dealt with open surgical procedures.


RESULTS
Complications surgically dealt were one broncho-arterial fistula and four stenosis. One left upper sleeve lobectomy, one right upper sleeve lobectomy and three segmental bronchial resections with anastomosis were performed. In all five cases the surgical procedure was successful and optimal bronchial healing was observed. Three patients died due to causes unrelated to the bronchial anastomosis 5, 21 and 32 months after the bronchoplastic procedure. Two patients are still alive and functionally well at 52 and 70 months post-bronchoplasty.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical management of bronchial complications after lung transplantation may be the last resort in complex, recalcitrant cases, nevertheless it is a feasible procedure and can provide good results not only on short- but also long-term follow-up.
Camargo
José de Jesus Peixoto
Jde J
machuca36@hotmail.com
Camargo
Spencer Marcantonio
SM
Machuca
Tiago Noguchi
TN
Perin
Fabíola Adélia
FA
Schio
Sadi Marcelo
SM
Felicetti
José Carlos
JC
D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D001995:Bronchography; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome