title: Fistulectomy as a surgical option for pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for pulmonary arteriovenous malformation but removes some normal lung parenchyma. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and safety of the lung-saving procedure of fistulectomy as an alternative to lung resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2003 to July 2008, 6 selected patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations underwent fistulectomies. Among them, 1 patient underwent emergency operation and 2 underwent bilateral operations. One patient received postoperative embolotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No hospital deaths or postoperative morbidity occurred. PaO2 increased significantly after operation. All patients were free of symptoms and hypoxia during a follow-up for 9 months to 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fistulectomy is a safe and effective procedure for patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation and may be an alternative to lung resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Shao-yan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-tai
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Song-lei
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: Yan-sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Fei-qiang
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xu-chen
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xin-xin
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities*