Risk factors that affect the surgical outcome in the management of focal bronchiectasis in a developed country

Ann Thorac Surg. 2012 Jan;93(1):245-50. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.08.077. Epub 2011 Nov 25.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate our surgical experience for focal bronchiectasis in the setting of modern diagnostic modalities and state-of-the-art medical treatment in a developed country.

Methods: Thirty-one patients undergoing 33 lung resections for the treatment of focal bronchiectasis from 1991 to 2009 were reviewed. The mean age was 54 years. Twenty-nine patients (94%) were female; 21 patients (68%) had nontuberculous mycobacterial infection; and 22 patients (71%) received preoperative multiple-drug regimens containing clarithromycin. Five patients (16%) were in an immunocompromised status. All were diagnosed by chest computed tomography scan, and either the right middle lobe or left lingula were involved in 29 (94%). The curve for relapse-free interval was estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. The factors that affected this curve were examined using Cox's regression analysis.

Results: Operative morbidity and mortality were 18% and 0%, respectively. All patients became asymptomatic postoperatively. During the median follow-up of 48 months (11 to 216), 8 patients (26%) experienced recurrence, and the mean relapse-free interval was 34 months (3 to 216). By univariate analysis, an immunocompromised status (p=0.017), Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (p=0.040), the preoperative extent of bronchiectatic lesion (p=0.013), and the extent of residual bronchiectasis after surgery (p=0.003) were significantly associated with the shorter relapse-free interval. By multivariate analysis, an immunocompromised status (p=0.039), Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (p=0.033), and the extent of residual bronchiectasis (p=0.009) were independent and significant factors.

Conclusions: Complete resection of bronchiectasis while the disease is localized and is free from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is the key for a success. Also, immunocompromised status was suggested to be a risk factor.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Bronchiectasis / diagnosis
  • Bronchiectasis / mortality
  • Bronchiectasis / surgery*
  • Developed Countries*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity / trends
  • Pneumonectomy / methods*
  • Pneumonectomy / mortality
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate / trends
  • Treatment Outcome