Pleural complications in lung transplant recipients.

Pleural complications occurred in 30 (22%) of 138 patients after 53 single and 91 double lung transplants between September 1986 and February 1993. These were defined for the purpose of this study as pneumothorax persisting beyond the first 14 postoperative days, recurrent pneumothorax, or any other pleural process that necessitated diagnostic or therapeutic intervention. Overall, a higher pleural complication rate was seen in double lung transplantation (25 of 30) than in single lung transplantation (5 of 30) with no differences noted in the frequency among preoperative diagnostic groups (p > 0.05). Pneumothorax was the most frequent complication, affecting 14 of 30 patients, with 6 of 14 cases occurring after transbronchial biopsy. All pneumothoraces in single (n = 4) and double lung transplantation (n = 10) resolved spontaneously or with chest tube thoracostomy. One patient required placement of a Clagett window after open lung biopsy and another required thoracotomy and pleural abrasion after transbronchial biopsy. Parapneumonic effusion was observed in 4 of 30 double lung transplantations with spontaneous resolution in all cases. Empyema affected 7 of 30 patients and occurred exclusively in the double lung transplant group. Sepsis developed in three of the patients with this complication and they subsequently died. The risk of empyema was independent of preoperative diagnosis (p > 0.05). Of interest, all patients with cystic fibrosis (n = 3) with complicating empyema had Pseudomonas cepacia in the pleural fluid. Other miscellaneous complications included subpleural hematoma, chylothorax, and hemothorax. The latter two necessitated thoracic duct and bronchial artery ligation, respectively. In summary, a significant proportion of lung transplant recipients will have pleural space complications. The vast majority of these will resolve spontaneously or with conservative procedures. These complications were not related to preoperative diagnosis nor associated with a significant prolongation of hospital stay (p > 0.05). Empyema is the only pleural space complication associated with increased patient mortality and, as such, is an important clinical marker for those at risk for sepsis and death.

Bilateral lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis. The Toronto Lung Transplant Group.

Between March 1988 and March 1991, 17 patients underwent bilateral lung transplantation for end-stage lung disease caused by cystic fibrosis. There were 11 male and six female patients. Ages ranged from 19 to 41 years (mean age 28 years). Preoperative mean arterial oxygen tension with the patient breathing room air was 54 +/- 6 mm Hg; forced vital capacity, 1.8 +/- 0.7 L; forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 0.9 +/- 0.3 L; and 6-minute walk test, 506 +/- 44 m. Immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. Induction immunosuppression was obtained with Minnesota antilymphocyte globulin. All patients received perioperative antibiotics according to sputum cultures and sensitivities. There were six operative deaths, four of which resulted from bacterial infection. Two patients required a second transplantation, one receiving a single lung and one undergoing bilateral lung replacement. Significant functional improvement was observed in all survivors. At 3 months follow-up, mean arterial oxygen tension on room air was 95 +/- 6 mm Hg (p less than 0.01); forced vital capacity, 3 +/- 0.8 L (p less than 0.01); forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 2.6 +/- 0.9 L (p less than 0.01); and 6-minute walk test, 678 +/- 47 m (p less than 0.01). The actuarial survival rate was 66% at 3 months and 58% at 6, 12, and 24 months. The most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality was acute pneumonia resulting from Pseudomonas cepacia. For patients with respiratory failure caused by cystic fibrosis, bilateral lung transplantation is an effective treatment option associated with significant functional improvement.

Pulmonary transplantation. Early and late results. The Toronto Lung Transplant Group.

Between November 1983 and March 1991, we performed 50 single and 40 double lung transplants in 82 recipients. Early deaths occurred in six (13%) single and in eight (21%) double lung transplant recipients. Late deaths occurred in 11 (28%) single and in one (3%) double lung recipients. Twenty-three of 37 (62%) single and 17 of 24 (71%) double lung transplant recipients have survived at least 1 year after the operation. In patients surviving at least 3 months after the operation (36 of 47 single lung transplant [77%] and 28 of 37 double lung transplant recipients [76%]), significant improvement occurred in arterial blood gases, pulmonary function tests, and exercise capacity. During our initial experience, airway anastomotic complications were the main cause of early morbidity and mortality. With newer surgical techniques and improved perioperative care, airway complications are now uncommon. Infectious complications, either bacterial (Pseudomonas cepacia) or viral (cytomegalovirus), are now the main cause of early mortality. Chronic rejection in the form of obliterative bronchiolitis has become a frequent cause of late morbidity.