Minor and intermediate surgeries in lung transplant recipients

Background: Only limited data exist regarding the incidence and outcome of surgical procedures following lung transplantation (LTX). Methods: A retrospective analysis of surgical procedures performed in all LTX patients (n = 250) between 1997 and 2008. Results: Of 250 patients who underwent LTX, 68 (27.2%) required 154 surgical procedures. Mean age was 53 ± 13 yr. Mean interval between LTX and surgery was 41 ± 40 months. Mean follow-up was 21 ± 9.4 months. Fourteen (9.1%) emergency operations were performed. Sixty patients (39%) underwent general anesthesia, 12 (7.8%) regional anesthesia, and 82 (53%) local anesthesia. Two patients required a major surgical procedure, while 76 of the procedures (49.4%) were intermediate, and 76 were minor surgeries. Only two patients (0.8%) developed complications (one infectious and one bronchospasm). One patient (0.4%) died following surgery as a result of septic shock. Conclusions: Minor and intermediate procedures can be performed safely in LTX patients without associated morbidity or mortality.