[Study of tracheobronchial healing after lung and heart-lung transplantation. Apropos of 64 anastomoses]

Ann Chir. 1993;47(2):99-102.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The authors report an analysis concerning the healing of tracheo-bronchial anastomoses after lung- and heart-lung transplantation. The present study includes 64 anastomoses selected from a total of 80 cases. Sixteen had to be excluded because of early post-operative death; none of these deaths was related to an air-way complication. Bronchial healing was assessed by bronchoscopic follow-up; the appearance of the suture-line was classified according to Couraud's grades. The initial reference was the examination at 2 weeks, which was compared to subsequent follow-up. At the initial assessment, 42 anastomoses were grade I, 4 were grade II, and 18 were grade III. The subsequent anatomic result was satisfactory for 52 sutures (81%). The complications were malacia in 2 cases, stenoses treated with a stenting device in 4 cases, dehiscence in 6 cases. The duration of ischemia and post-operative mechanical respiratory support, as well as the proximal or distal site of the anastomosis appeared to be of significant prognostic value.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anastomosis, Surgical
  • Bronchi / surgery*
  • Bronchial Diseases / etiology
  • Child
  • Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Heart-Lung Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Radiography
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Trachea / diagnostic imaging
  • Trachea / surgery*
  • Wound Healing / physiology*