Adel K Ayed1, Abdulla Owayed. 1. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. Adel@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with indications, timing, and results of pulmonary resection in infants. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Thoracic Surgery Department, Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Forty-seven infants with congenital lung diseases were treated with pulmonary resection from January 1993 to December 2000. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 90 days (range, 7 days to 11 months). Thirty-four patients were male (72%). Congenital lobar emphysema, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, pulmonary sequestration, and atelectasis were seen in 26, 10, 6, and 5 patients, respectively. The indications for surgery were respiratory distress in 32 patients (68%), respiratory tract infections in 12 patients (26%), and the presence of asymptomatic chest radiographic findings in 3 patients (6%). A lobectomy was performed in 42 patients (89%), bilobectomy in 2 patients (4%), left pneumonectomy in 1 patient (2%), and excision of a mass in 2 patients with extralobar sequestration (4%). An emergency lobectomy was performed in seven patients (15%). Only one postoperative death occurred following a left pneumonectomy for extensive congenital adenomatoid malformation due to pulmonary hypertension. Four patients (9%) had postoperative complications: atelectasis (n = 2), prolonged air leak (n = 1), and pneumothorax (n = 1). Mean follow-up was 4 years (range, 1 to 5 years) for all patients. None of the patients had any physical limitations. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary resection is indicated for the majority of patients with congenital lung malformations. In case of severe respiratory distress, an emergency lobectomy can be performed safely.
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with indications, timing, and results of pulmonary resection in infants. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Thoracic Surgery Department, Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Forty-seven infants with congenital lung diseases were treated with pulmonary resection from January 1993 to December 2000. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 90 days (range, 7 days to 11 months). Thirty-four patients were male (72%). Congenital lobar emphysema, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, pulmonary sequestration, and atelectasis were seen in 26, 10, 6, and 5 patients, respectively. The indications for surgery were respiratory distress in 32 patients (68%), respiratory tract infections in 12 patients (26%), and the presence of asymptomatic chest radiographic findings in 3 patients (6%). A lobectomy was performed in 42 patients (89%), bilobectomy in 2 patients (4%), left pneumonectomy in 1 patient (2%), and excision of a mass in 2 patients with extralobar sequestration (4%). An emergency lobectomy was performed in seven patients (15%). Only one postoperative death occurred following a left pneumonectomy for extensive congenital adenomatoid malformation due to pulmonary hypertension. Four patients (9%) had postoperative complications: atelectasis (n = 2), prolonged air leak (n = 1), and pneumothorax (n = 1). Mean follow-up was 4 years (range, 1 to 5 years) for all patients. None of the patients had any physical limitations. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary resection is indicated for the majority of patients with congenital lung malformations. In case of severe respiratory distress, an emergency lobectomy can be performed safely.