The Use of Intraoperative Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Lung Transplantation: Initial Institutional Experience

ABSTRACT Introduction: Lung transplantation is the final treatment option for end-stage lung disease, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly being used during lung transplantation. Objective: The present study aimed to review our initial experience with patients who underwent lung transplantation with or without ECMO since the implementation of the lung transplantation program at our center. Methods: Data were prospectively collected on all patients between December 2016 and December 2018. Patients undergoing ECMO as a bridge to lung transplantation were excluded. Results: A total of 48 lung transplants were performed, and ECMO was used in 29 (60.4%) cases. Twenty (83%) patients were female. The median age was 48.5 (range, 14-64) years. The most common indications were idiopathic interstitial pneumonia in 9 (31%) patients, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 7 (24.1%) patients, and bronchiectasis in 6 (20.7%) patients. Sequential bilateral lung transplantation was performed in all patients. The 30-day mortality was 20.6% (6/29) for patients with ECMO, however, it was 10.5 (2/19) for patients without ECMO (P=0.433). The median length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was 5 (range, 2-25) days. The ECMO weaning rate was 82.8% (24/29). One-year survival was 62.1% with ECMO versus 78.9% without ECMO, and the 3-year survival was 54.1% versus 65.8%, respectively (P=0.317). Conclusions: ECMO is indicated for more severe patients who underwent lung transplantation. The use of ECMO provides adjuvant support during surgery and the mortality rate is acceptable. Survival is also as similar as non-ECMO patients. ECMO is appropriate for critically ill patients.

Delayed chest closure for oversized lung allograft in lung transplantation: a retrospective analysis from turkey

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the delayed chest closure (DCC) results in patients who underwent lung transplantation. Methods: Sixty patients were evaluated retrospectively. Only bilateral lung transplantations and DCC for oversized lung allograft (OLA) were included in the study. Six patients who underwent single lung transplantation, four patients who underwent lobar transplantation, two patients who underwent retransplantation, and four patients who underwent DCC due to bleeding risk were excluded from the study. Forty-four patients were divided into groups as primary chest closure (PCC) (n=28) and DCC (n=16). Demographics, donor characteristics, and operative features and outcomes of the patients were compared. Results: The mean age was 44.5 years. There was no significant difference between the demographics of the groups (P>0.05). The donor/recipient predicted total lung capacity ratio was significantly higher in the DCC group than in the PCC group (1.06 vs. 0.96, P=0.008). Extubation time (4.3 vs. 3.1 days, P=0.002) and intensive care unit length of stay (7.6 vs. 5.2 days, P=0.016) were significantly higher in the DCC group than in the PCC group. In the DCC group, postoperative wound infection was significantly higher than in the PCC group (18.6% vs. 0%, P=0.19). Median survival was 14 months in all patients and there was no significant difference in survival between the groups (16 vs. 13 months, P=0.300). Conclusion: DCC is a safe and effective method for the management of OLA in lung transplantation.

Combined off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and lung resection in patients with lung cancer accompanied by coronary artery disease

Abstract Introduction: Optimal surgical approach for the treatment of resectable lung cancer accompanied by coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a contentious issue. In this study, we present our cases that were operated simultaneously for concurrent lung cancer and CAD. Methods: Simultaneous off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCABG) and lung resection were performed on 10 patients in our clinic due to lung cancer accompanied by CAD. Demographic features of patients, operation data and postoperative results were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Mean patient age was 63.3 years (range 55-74). All patients were male. Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma, three of adenocarcinoma and one case of large cell carcinoma were diagnosed. Six patients had single-vessel CAD and 4 had two-vessel CAD. Three patients underwent OPCABG at first and then lung resection. The types of resections were one right pneumonectomy, three right upper lobectomies, one right lower lobectomy, three left upper lobectomies, and two left lower lobectomies. Reoperation was performed in one patient due to hemorrhage. One patient developed intraoperative contralateral tension pneumothorax. One patient died due to acute respiratory distress syndrome at the early postoperative period. Conclusion: Simultaneous surgery is a safe and reliable option in the treatment of selected patients with concurrent CAD and operable lung cancer.