The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Surgery for non‐localized bronchiectasis. BJS 2005; 92: 836-839.

Published: 16th May 2005

Authors: D. Schneiter, N. Meyer, D. Lardinois, S. Korom, P. Kestenholz, W. Weder et al.

Background

Resection for localized bronchiectasis is a well established therapy. However, there is little information on the role of surgery in non‐localized bronchiectasis.

Method

Between January 1992 and April 2001, 55 patients without cystic fibrosis underwent resection. Forty‐eight patients (mean age 45 (range 23–74) years; 32 women) were available for long‐term follow‐up. Twenty‐five patients underwent resection for localized disease (group 1) and 23 had bronchiectasis in at least two different lobes (group 2).

Results

Thirty‐one of the 48 patients were treated by Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) resection. There was no 30‐day mortality. Mean duration of hospital stay was 10·9 (range 6–31) days in group 1 and 11·1 (range 5–19) days in group 2. Three of 25 patients in group 1 required reoperation. Only minor complications occurred in group 2 (three patients). Mean follow‐up for both groups was 37 (range 6–97) months. Twenty‐three of 25 patients in group 1 and 16 of 23 in group 2 reported satisfaction at 6 months after the operation. Recurrent infection was noted in three patients in each group. Haemoptysis recurred in only one patient in group 2.

Conclusion

The surgical treatment of selected patients with non‐localized bronchiectasis was safe and most patients were satisfied with the outcome. Copyright © 2005 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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