Management of Bronchial Complications After Lung Transplantation and Sequelae

• Published in: Thoracic surgery clinics Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 365 - 375
• Main Authors: Varela, Andrés, MD, PhD, Hoyos, Lucas, MD, Romero, Alejandra, MD, Campo-Cañaveral, José Luis, MD, PhD, Crowley, Silvana, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-08-2018
• Subjects: Airway dehiscence; Airway necrosis; Anastomosis; Anastomosis, Surgical - adverse effects; Bronchi - surgery; Bronchial Diseases - diagnosis; Bronchial Diseases - etiology; Bronchial Diseases - therapy; Bronchial stenosis; Bronchomalacia - etiology; Bronchoscopy; Cardiothoracic Surgery; Constriction, Pathologic - etiology; Female; Granuloma - etiology; Humans; Lung transplant; Lung Transplantation - adverse effects; Male; Necrosis - etiology; Postoperative Complications - diagnosis; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - therapy; Quality of Life; Respiratory Tract Fistula - etiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - etiology; Risk Factors; Surgery; Airway necrosis; Bronchial stenosis; Lung transplant; Airway dehiscence; Anastomosis
• ISSN: 1547-4127; 1558-5069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2018.04.006

Airway complication (AC) after lung transplant, although rare nowadays, leads to increased costs, greater morbidity, and decreased quality of life of patients. Over the years, many risk factors have been described, ranging from surgical technique to immunosuppressive regimen. There are essentially 6 major airway complications (necrosis/dehiscence, infection, bronchial stenosis, granulomas, tracheo-bronchomalacia, and fistula) all of which require a multidisciplinary approach based on the performance status of patients. In this article, the authors review the risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis methods, and management options in the most common AC after lung transplantation.