Incidence, management and clinical outcomes of patients with airway complications following lung transplantation☆

Abstract

The incidence of AC after LT is 12.6% with a related mortality of 1%, irrespective of the technique of bronchial anastomosis performed. DLT, airway colonizations, and prolonged intubation post-transplant are associated with AC. Either endoscopic procedures or surgical therapy resolve these complications in most cases.

Airway Complications after Lung Transplantation: Long-Term Outcome of Silicone Stenting

“…The 9% incidence of airway complications in our material is well within the range of what is reported in most other larger series of lung transplant recipients [3,5,23,24]. Attempts have been made at reducing the incidence of airway complications by revascularization of the bronchial arteries, but these techniques prolong the operation time and have not been adopted by many centres as long-term outcome of the procedure is uncertain [25,26].…”

Novel biodegradable stents in the treatment of bronchial stenosis after lung transplantation☆☆☆

“…Stenosis, necrosis, overgrowth of granulation tissue, malacia and fistulae have all been reported and various treatments described including surgical resection, bronchoscopic dilation, lasering and stenting with non-resorbable stents [11][12][13].…”

Stents for Bronchial Stenosis After Lung Transplantation: Should They Be Removed?

“…Thistlethwaite et al [9] cited 2 articles in which bronchial stenosis after lung transplantation exceeded 40% [10,11]. These studies considered a stenosis to be any perianastomotic bronchial narrowing, even if it did not cause significant obstruction to air flow or any clinical consequences.…”