A challenging high-risk surgery for necrotizing pneumonia in a right bilobed lung.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing pneumonia is rare in children and is one of the most serious complications of a lung infection caused by antibiotic failure. We present a 12-year-old leukopenic child with a long-lasting lung infection, presenting as having a lung hydatid cyst, but diagnosing with necrotizing pneumonia in the right bilobed lung. Failure to medical treatment and ongoing leukopenia justified surgical intervention with positive results. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was referred to our teaching hospital's pediatric surgery department. He had previously been diagnosed with intestinal tuberculosis (TB) and received anti-TB treatment. On referral to our hospital, the patient was suffering from restlessness, frequent coughing, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Following the completion of the clinical work-up, a blood test revealed leukopenia (white blood cell count of 2100/microliter), a normal platelet count, and a lesion in the right lung. Computerized tomography scanning (CT-Scan) image reported a lung hydatid cyst. In the pediatrics ward, a broad-spectrum antibiotics regimen with triple-antibiotic therapy (linezolid, vancomycin, and metronidazole) was instituted and continued for a week with no response, but worsening of the condition. In the pediatric surgery ward, our decision for surgical intervention was due to the failure of medical treatment because of a pulmonary lesion. Our team performed right lung upper lobe anterior segment wedge resection due to necrotizing pneumonia and followed the patient 45 days post-operation with a reasonable result. CONCLUSION: Living in remote rural areas with low resources and inaccessibility to proper and specialized diagnostic and treatment centers will all contribute to an improper diagnosis and treatment of lung infection. In total, all of these will increase the morbidity and mortality due to lung necrosis in the pediatric population, regardless of their age. In low-resource facilities, high-risk patients can benefit from surgical intervention to control the ongoing infection process.

Retrospective analysis of necrotizing pneumonia in children between 2015-2019.

INTRODUCTION: An increased incidence rate of cases of complicated pneumonia, reaching up to the stage of necrotizing pneumonia was observed at University Hospital Brno in the past period. The aim of this study was to perform a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with acquired inflammatory lung disease requiring surgical treatment, comprising a long-term follow-up group. METHODS: Patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia and surgically treated in the years 2015-2019 were analyzed. The rates of necessary chest drainages, decortications and lung resections in relation to the whole group and individual years were monitored. Clinical and X-ray examinations were performed one year after hospitalization and the prognosis was determined for individual types of required treatments. The age, gender and etiological agents were also monitored. RESULTS: A total of 688 patients were included in the study with the incidence rising until 2018 and decreasing slightly in 2019. A statistically significantly higher number of community-acquired pneumonias and complications was recorded between 2017 and 2018 (p.

Lung Resection in Children with Necrotizing Pneumonia: Outcome and Follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The number of patients with necrotizing pneumonia has increased in recent years. The aim of this study is to review the incidence, management, and outcome of pediatric necrotizing pneumonia requiring surgical therapy and to prove that lung resection results in favorable development of patients. We hypothesize that overall lung function in children after lung resection does not differ from that of the healthy population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective tertiary referral center study with a prospective follow-up spirometric study of patients with necrotizing pneumonia managed between January 2010 and December 2019 was performed. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 1,295 patients admitted to the pediatric department for community-acquired pneumonia; 47 patients developed necrotizing pneumonia, 36 of whom underwent parenchymal lung resection. A 5-year rise in the occurrence of necrotizing pneumonia requiring resection was 77%, with a significant increase in the last 3 years (p < 0.05). The median age at the time of surgery was 32.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 32.25) months. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most prevalent pathogen (83%), although 53.3% of these patients were vaccinated against the agent. In 67% of patients, preresection procedures were performed: drainage of pneumothorax (17%), drainage of empyema (46%), drainage of empyema with use of alteplase (25%), and thoracoscopic decortication (12%). Surgical procedures included lobectomy (72.2%), wedge resection (13.9%), bilobectomy (8.3%), and pneumonectomy (5.6%). The postoperative complication was bronchopleural fistula in three patients. There were two (5.5%) postoperative deaths due to multiple organ failure. The follow-up spirometry was performed 43.3 (median, IQR 23.8-66.7) months after surgical intervention. Normal lung function was detected in 35 (64.8%) patients, restrictive pattern in 6 (11.1%) patients, obstructive pattern in 11 (20.4%) patients, and combined in 2 (3.7%) patients. CONCLUSION: The number of patients with necrotizing pneumonia requiring resection has increased significantly in the last 3 years (p < 0.05). Aggressive surgical treatment results in significant clinical improvement in most cases and favorable lung function outcome. Long-term follow-up showed normal spirometry in 64.8% of cases.

Surgical treatment of necrotizing pneumonia in children: a 10-year assessment. / Tratamento cirúrgico de pneumonia necrosante em crianças em um período de 10 anos.

OBJECTIVE: Necrotizing pneumonia (PNZ) is a severe and rare complication of a community-acquired pneumonia, affecting mainly children. We aimed to analyze medical records of children undergoing surgical treatment for PNZ and compare our results with those found in the medical literature. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of children's medical charts who underwent an operation for PNZ, between July 2006 and July 2016, in two hospitals in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 26 children with a median age of 2.70 years and mostly females (61.5%) were included in the current study. The main symptoms were fever (88.5%) and cough (65.4%). There was an average use of 4.31 antibiotics per patient. The primary etiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus (23.1%), but cultures were negative in 69% of the patients. Decortication and debridement of necrotic areas were performed in 23 patients (88.5%). The mean postoperative pleural drainage was 8.12 days. The presence of bronchopleural fistula occurred in 50.0% in the preoperative period and 46.2% in the postoperative. The total length of hospital stay was, on average, 27.52 days and the postoperative length of stay was 12.60 days (mean). Postoperative complications occurred in 13 children and there was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The surgical approach is indicated to patients with no response to clinical treatment. Late surgical intervention is associated with progressive parenchyma infection and higher rates of complications. Surgery can lead to better clinical outcomes and earlier recovery.

OBJETIVO: A pneumonia necrosante (PNS) é uma grave e rara complicação da pneumonia adquirida na comunidade, acometendo principalmente crianças, sendo assim, objetivamos analisar prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico de PNS e comparação dos resultados obtidos com os presentes na literatura médica. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico por PNS entre julho de 2006 a julho de 2016 em dois hospitais do sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil. RESULTADOS: Do total de 26 crianças, com mediana de idade 2,70 anos, maioria mulheres (61,5%). Os principais sintomas foram febre (88,5%) e tosse (65,4%). Houve média de 4,31 antibióticos utilizados por paciente. O principal agente etiológico foi o Staphylococcus aureus (23,1%) mas as culturas foram negativas em 69% dos pacientes. Em 23 pacientes realizou-se decorticação e desbridamento das áreas necróticas (88,5%). A média de drenagem pleural pós-operatória foi 8,12 dias. Fístula broncopleural ocorreu em 50,0% no pré-operatório e 46,2% após a cirurgia. O tempo total de internação hospitalar foi, em média, de 27,52 dias e tempo pós-operatório com média de 12,60 dias. Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 13 crianças e não houve mortalidade. CONCLUSÕES: Propõe-se abordagem cirúrgica nos pacientes sem resposta ao tratamento clínico, pois o atraso na intervenção cirúrgica associa-se a infecção progressiva no parênquima pulmonar e taxas maiores de complicações. A cirurgia pode conduzir a melhor evolução clínica e recuperação mais precoce.

Tratamento cirúrgico de pneumonia necrosante em crianças em um período de 10 anos / Surgical treatment of necrotizing pneumonia in children: a 10-year assessment

RESUMO Objetivo: A pneumonia necrosante (PNS) é uma grave e rara complicação da pneumonia adquirida na comunidade, acometendo principalmente crianças, sendo assim, objetivamos analisar prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico de PNS e comparação dos resultados obtidos com os presentes na literatura médica. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de crianças submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico por PNS entre julho de 2006 a julho de 2016 em dois hospitais do sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Resultados: Do total de 26 crianças, com mediana de idade 2,70 anos, maioria mulheres (61,5%). Os principais sintomas foram febre (88,5%) e tosse (65,4%). Houve média de 4,31 antibióticos utilizados por paciente. O principal agente etiológico foi o Staphylococcus aureus (23,1%) mas as culturas foram negativas em 69% dos pacientes. Em 23 pacientes realizou-se decorticação e desbridamento das áreas necróticas (88,5%). A média de drenagem pleural pós-operatória foi 8,12 dias. Fístula broncopleural ocorreu em 50,0% no pré-operatório e 46,2% após a cirurgia. O tempo total de internação hospitalar foi, em média, de 27,52 dias e tempo pós-operatório com média de 12,60 dias. Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 13 crianças e não houve mortalidade. Conclusões: Propõe-se abordagem cirúrgica nos pacientes sem resposta ao tratamento clínico, pois o atraso na intervenção cirúrgica associa-se a infecção progressiva no parênquima pulmonar e taxas maiores de complicações. A cirurgia pode conduzir a melhor evolução clínica e recuperação mais precoce.

ABSTRACT Objective: Necrotizing pneumonia (PNZ) is a severe and rare complication of a community-acquired pneumonia, affecting mainly children. We aimed to analyze medical records of children undergoing surgical treatment for PNZ and compare our results with those found in the medical literature. Methods: Retrospective analysis of children's medical charts who underwent an operation for PNZ, between July 2006 and July 2016, in two hospitals in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. Results: A total of 26 children with a median age of 2.70 years and mostly females (61.5%) were included in the current study. The main symptoms were fever (88.5%) and cough (65.4%). There was an average use of 4.31 antibiotics per patient. The primary etiological agent was Staphylococcus aureus (23.1%), but cultures were negative in 69% of the patients. Decortication and debridement of necrotic areas were performed in 23 patients (88.5%). The mean postoperative pleural drainage was 8.12 days. The presence of bronchopleural fistula occurred in 50.0% in the preoperative period and 46.2% in the postoperative. The total length of hospital stay was, on average, 27.52 days and the postoperative length of stay was 12.60 days (mean). Postoperative complications occurred in 13 children and there was no mortality. Conclusion: The surgical approach is indicated to patients with no response to clinical treatment. Late surgical intervention is associated with progressive parenchyma infection and higher rates of complications. Surgery can lead to better clinical outcomes and earlier recovery.

Outcome of surgery of necrotising pneumonia in immunocompromised patients: HKL experience.

Necrotising pneumonia or lung gangrene is a challenging problem and it is diagnosed more often today, especially in tertiary hospitals. It is always a challenge to treat these patients as they are usually immunocompromised and are often ill when the diagnosis is made. We report three immunocompromised patients with necrotising pneumonia who were treated surgically. We share the outcomes of these patients and discuss the management of necrotising pneumonia in the immunocompromised.

Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Pulmonary Resection for Necrotizing Pneumonia.

We describe the case of a 35-year-old man who presented in respiratory failure after influenza B infection requiring initiation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and eventual pulmonary resection for necrotizing pneumonia. Following a successful wean off venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and once hemodynamically stable, he was taken to the operating room for decortication and left pulmonary resection. Recovery was complicated by persistent airleak requiring placement of endobronchial valves, but otherwise he recovered very well. This case demonstrates the benefits of lung resection for necrotizing pneumonia.

Lung necrosectomy in pediatric patients with necrotizing pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing pneumonia is the consolidation of lung parenchyma with destruction and necrosis, forming solitary or multiloculated radiolucent foci. When antibiotic treatment fails and clinical course does not improve, patients might need lung tissue resection: segmentectomy, lobectomy or bilobectomy. We have performed a more conservative surgical approach in pediatric patients with necrotizing pneumonia, lung necrosectomy: resection of unviable necrotic tissue, to preserve more healthy and potentially recoverable lung parenchyma. The objective of this study is to present the results of our experience with lung necrosectomy. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical charts of children with necrotizing pneumonia. The diagnosis was based on physical examination, laboratory data and contrast CT scan. Lung necrosectomy technique includes resection of necrotic tissue with careful debridement technique; air leaks were sutured and/or tissue imbrication. RESULTS: Twenty-four children were surgically treated for necrotizing pneumonia (18 girls and 6 boys). The mean age was 31.5 ± 13.5 months. All the patients presented productive cough, fever and dyspnea; chest X-rays showed consolidated areas with intraparenchymal cavities and hypoperfusion on the contrasted CT. Surgical treatment included: Lung necrosectomy 17 (70%); lobectomy 3 (12.5%); wedge resection 2 (8.3%); lobectomy + lung necrosectomy 1 (4.1%), and wedge resection + lung necrosectomy 1 (4.1%). The postoperative course was uneventful in 23 patients; mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.3. One patient died because of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Lung necrosectomy is a conservative, effective surgical treatment, which solves lung necrotizing infection avoiding resection of healthy lung parenchyma.

Surgical Management of Complicated Necrotizing Pneumonia in Children.

BACKGROUND: There are no well-established indications for the surgical management of acute necrotizing pneumonitis in children. This study presents our experience regarding this challenging topic. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2009, 56 necrotizing pneumonitis patients with empyema were treated surgically. The outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Computed tomography findings of massive lung necrosis or large cavities involving more than 50% of the involved lobe were deemed to be complicated necrotizing pneumonitis. Patients without the above indications were considered uncomplicated. RESULTS: Thirty-one cases were uncomplicated and 25 were complicated. Operative procedures included 38 decortications (31 uncomplicated and seven complicated), 14 wedge resections, and four lobectomies (complicated only). Preoperatively, patients with complicated necrotizing pneumonia had a higher incidence of pneumothorax (32% vs. 14.3%; p = 0.001), endotracheal intubation (44% vs. 9.7%; p = 0.008), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (20% vs. 3.2%; p = 0.01). These patients also had higher incidences of intraoperative transfusion (68% vs. 9.7%; p = 0.03), major postoperative complications (16% vs. 0%; p = 0.02), reoperations (16% vs. 0%; p = 0.02), and longer postoperative stay (19.8 ± 24.2 days vs. 11.2 ± 5.8 days; p = 0.03). Four complicated patients, who initially had decortications and limited resections, underwent reoperations. Compared with uncomplicated patients, those who underwent decortications and wedge resection required longer postoperative stays (23.6 ± 9.9 days, p < 0.01 and 21.1 ± 30.7 days, p = 0.04, respectively), whereas patients who had lobectomy had a similar duration of recovery (9.0 ± 2.1 days, p = 0.23). All patients improved significantly at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Children with complicated necrotizing pneumonitis have more preoperative morbidities, more major postoperative complications, and require longer postoperative stays. Aggressive surgical treatment results in significant clinical improvement. Lobectomy in patients with complicated necrotizing pneumonitis may shorten the postoperative course and avoid subsequent surgery.

Neumonías necrosantes graves con empiema asociado / Severe necrotizing pneumonias with secondary empyemas

Introducción: Las neumonías necrosantes (NN) con empiema son una enfermedad grave y un desafío multidisciplinario. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar una caracterización epidemiológica y, en forma secundaria, analizar su tratamiento y evolución. Presentación de casos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de una serie de casos consecutivos con NN con empiema que se presentaron en el Hospital Padre Hurtado. Siete (77,8%) eran de sexo masculino. La mediana de edad fue de 53 (rango 21-73) años. El 44% presentaban comorbilidades (diabetes, HTA o enfermedades neurológicas). El 44% presentaban abuso de drogas y 3 estaban en un estado de desnutrición severa. Manejo y evolución: La mediana de tiempo de hospitalización fue de 41 (rango 16-129) días. En 4 pacientes el germen aislado fue un Enterococcus faecalis. Complicaciones torácicas ocurrieron en el 33,3% de los pacientes. Un paciente requirió una lobectomía, un paciente una fenestración y otro paciente falleció. Discusión: Las NN con empiemas son raras. Sin embargo, frente a la asociación de diabetes, desnutrición y abuso de drogas continuaremos viendo estos casos de difícil manejo con elevada morbimortalidad.

Introduction: Necrotizing pneumonia complicated with empyema is a life-threatening condition that challenges multidisciplinary teams. The aim of this study is to perform an epidemiological characterization of these patients, and secondly, analyse their treatment and outcomes. Case presentation: A retrospective analysis of a series of consecutive patients experiencing necrotizing pneumonia with empyema who presented at Hospital Padre Hurtado. Seven (77.8%) were male. The median age was 53 (range 21-73) years. 44% presented with comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, and neurological diseases). 44% presented drug abuse consumption and three (33.3%) were in a state of severe malnutrition. Management and outcome: The median time of hospitalization was 41 (range 16-129) days. Thoracotomies were performed in eight (83.2%) of the patients. In four patients, the isolated bacteria's were Enterococcus faecalis. Thoracic complications occurred in three (33.3%) patients. One patient required a lobectomy, one patient a fenestration and one (11.1%) patient died. Discussion: Necrotizing pneumonias complicated with empyema are rare, however, if there is an association with drug abuse, diabetes and malnutrition, we will continue to see such challenging cases with high morbidity and mortality.

Unusual case of non-resolving necrotizing pneumonia: A last resort measure for cure.

To our knowledge, this is an unusual case of a community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with sepsis secondary to Streptococcus pneumoniae that required lung resection for a non-resolving consolidation. A 74 year old previously healthy woman, presented with acute fever, chills and pleuritic chest pain in Emergency Department (ED). A diagnosis of CAP was established with a Pneumonia Severity Index CURB-65 score of 5/5. In the ER, she was promptly and appropriately managed with antibiotics and aggressive supportive therapy. She remained on ten days of intravenous antibiotics. However, 48 hours post antibiotic course, she returned to ER with fever and signs of sepsis. Despite timely and appropriate management, the consolidated lobe remained the focus of sepsis for over four weeks. The patient recovered after the offending lobe was resected. Histopathology of the lung tissue revealed acute and chronic inflammation. However, no malignancy, bacterial infection or broncho-pleural fistula was found. Eighteen months post-surgery, the patient remains well.