Clinical profile and surgical outcome for pulmonary aspergilloma: nine year retrospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital.
BACKGROUND
The indications and the outcome of surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma remain highly controversial. This retrospective observational study was conducted to study the clinical profile, indications, post-operative complications and long term outcome of patients having pulmonary aspergilloma.


METHODS
From January 2000 to October 2008, 52 patients underwent surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma at our tertiary care institute.


RESULTS
The group consisted of 32 males and 20 females with a mean age of 39.3 ± 11.2 years. The most common indication for surgery was hemoptysis (96.15%). The underlying lung diseases were tuberculosis (75%), bronchiectasis (5.76%), and lung abscess (5.76%). In one patient (2%), concomitant ruptured lung hydatid cyst and an aspergilloma was present. The procedures performed were lobectomy (n = 43), bilobectomy (n = 3). pneumonectomy (n = 3), segmental resection (n = 3). The post-operative mortality was 1.92% (one patient). Overall complications occurred in 12 (23.07%) patients. The complications included prolonged air leak (n = 6), bleeding (n = 3), empyema (n = 1), repeated pneumothorax (n = 1), and wound dehiscence (n = 1). The mean follow-up period was 38 ± 18.6 months. There was no recurrence of disease or hemoptysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary aspergilloma is common in developing countries like India in which there is high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Surgical resection of pulmonary aspergilloma is effective in preventing recurrence of symptoms including hemoptysis. We recommend early surgical resection of symptomatic aspergilloma with reasonable complications. Pre-operative preparation of the patients, meticulous surgical technique and post-operative chest physiotherapy reduces the rate of complications. Complications may still occur and are largely related to the underlying lung pathology; however, the long term outcome is good.
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir-Institute-of-Medical-Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190011, India.
Mubashir Ali
MA
Khan
Abdul Majeed
AM
Dar
Nadeem Ulnazeer
NU
Kawoosa
Abdul Gani
AG
Ahangar
Ghulam Nabi
GN
Lone
Gulnaz
G
Bashir
Mohammad Akbar
MA
Bhat
Shyam
S
Singh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008271:Mycetoma / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D055732:Pulmonary Aspergillosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult