Bilateral sequential lung transplantation for end stage septic lung disease.

BACKGROUND-- Bilateral sequential lung transplantation (BSLT) has been widely adopted as an alternative to combined heart and lung transplantation for the management of end stage septic lung disease in many transplant centres. METHODS-- A retrospective review was undertaken of the first 32 consecutive patients with septic lung disease to undergo BSLT at the Freeman Hospital. RESULTS-- Between April 1988 and October 1994 32 patients underwent BSLT. Survival at 30 days was 85% and actuarial survival at one year was 70%. Improved pulmonary function was seen in all surviving patients. CONCLUSION-- BSLT for septic lung disease offers comparable survival to heart-lung transplantation, with excellent functional results. Long term results may be superior because the disadvantages of transplanting the heart are avoided.     

Bilateral sequential lung transplantation without sternal division

Objectives: The ‘clamshell incision’ is considered the standard approach for bilateral sequential lung transplantation (BSLT); however, a considerable morbidity may be related to this incision. The bilateral anterolateral thoracotomy without sternal division is an alternative approach that may contribute to avoid chest wall complications. Methods: We have employed this approach in a prospective series of 34 patients undergoing bilateral transplantation (Group I). The results were retrospectively compared with an historical control group of 37 patients (Group II) undergoing transplantation through the clamshell incision. Results: The operative time in Groups I and II were 228±32 and 293±37 min, respectively; the difference between the ischemic time of the first and second lungs were 68±20 and 73±15 min. Intensive care unit stay was 5±6 vs. 13±10 days and length of hospitalization was 25±16 vs. 32±10 days. Vital capacity measured 3 weeks after the transplant was significantly higher in Group I (65±13 vs. 45±8% predicted) as well as FEV₁ (71±8 vs. 58±7% predicted). No wound related complication was observed in Group I; in Group II, there were 17 chest wall complications: sternal osteomyelitis in three patients (surgical debridement and closure with a muscle flap), migration of the Kirshner wire in three (removal of the wire), sternal override in three (surgical correction) and prolonged pain in eight. Conclusions: The bilateral anterolateral thoracotomy without sternal splitting is a safe and effective approach for BSLT; it allows to avoid sternal complications and contributes to improve respiratory function in the early postoperative period.     

Bilateral lung transplant with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for Eisenmenger's syndrome

Patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension frequently present for evaluation for lung transplantation. In some of these patients, Eisenmenger's syndrome has developed from chronic left to right intracardiac shunts. A smaller group of these patients will also have associated pulmonary artery aneurysms. There is a paucity of literature discussing this topic, however, and currents reports have suggested the need to replace the abnormal pulmonary artery. This paper discusses a patient in whom Eisenmenger's syndrome developed from an atrial septal defect, and resultant pulmonary artery aneurysms and mural thrombi, who underwent successful bilateral lung transplantation with thromboendarterectomy and atrial septal defect closure.     

Bilateral sequential single lung transplantation for pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger's syndrome

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation, with and without intracardiac repair for pulmonary hypertension (PH) and Eisenmenger's syndrome (EIS), has become an alternative transplant strategy to combined heart and lung transplantation (HLT). METHODS: Thirty-five patients with PH or EIS underwent either bilateral sequential single lung transplantation (BSSLT, group I, n = 13) or HLT (group II, n = 22). Another 74 patients, who underwent BSSLT for other indications, served as controls (group III). Immediate allograft function, early and medium-term outcomes, lung function, and 2-year survival were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Comparisons between groups I and II showed no significant difference in any variables except percent predicted forced vital capacity. Immediate allograft function was significantly inferior (p < 0.05) and the blood loss was greater (p < 0.01) in group I when compared with those in group III. However, this resulted in no significant difference in early and medium-term outcomes, and 2-year survival between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: BSSLT for PH and EIS can be performed as an alternative procedure to HLT without an increase in early and medium-term morbidity and mortality. Results are comparable with BSSLT performed for other indications.     

Bilateral lung transplantation via two sequential anterolateral thoracotomies.

OBJECTIVE: Bilateral anterior trans-sternal thoracotomy (clam shell incision) is the standard approach used for bilateral sequential lung transplantation (BLTX). The morbidity of this large incision can be considerable. Two separate sequential anterolateral thoractomies represent a less invasive approach. METHODS: The value of this approach was investigated in a prospective series of 22 consecutive patients who received BLTX between June 1997 and July 1998. Their underlying diseases were COPD (n = 16), cystic fibrosis (n = 4) and other (n = 2). All patients underwent BLTX through two anterolateral thoracotomies, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. The anterior mediastinum and the sternum with all the surrounding tissue were left completely intact. Twenty-one patients underwent spirometrical examination during the postoperative in-hospital stay. Follow-up is 7+/-4 months (range: 3 to 15). RESULTS: The only intraoperative complication was severe reperfusion edema of the first transplanted lung seen in one patient at the end of the operation, which required pneumonectomy during the same session. All other operations were uneventful. The difference between the cold ischemic time of the first and second transplanted lung was 83+/-17 min. Median intubation duration, ICU- and in-hospital-stay were 1.5, 5 and 20 days, respectively (ranges: 1 to 96, 2 to 96 and 15 to 96, respectively). One major perioperative complication occurred and was due to gross donor/recipient size mismatch: the patient required lobectomy of the consolidated right upper lobe 11 days after transplantation. In 19 patients (86.4%), this less extensive incision allowed early postoperative mobilization, which resulted in good ventilatory performance, with VC of 53+/-15 and FEV1 of 60+/-20% of the predicted, respectively, at the first spirometry, 3 weeks after the operation. Three months survival was 100%. CONCLUSION: The bilateral sequential anterolateral thoracotomy represents a safe and minimal invasive approach for BLTX compared with the clam shell incision. It minimizes the operative trauma, improves postoperative functional recovery and prevents the potential spread of unilateral complications to the other pleural cavity.     

Comparison of canine single and sequential bilateral lung transplant model for lung preservation study

The purpose of this study was to compare canine sequential bilateral lung transplantation (SBLT) with left single lung transplant (LSLT) models. After 24 hours of lung preservation with low potassium/dextran glucose (LPDG) solution, seven SBLT procedures were performed using mongrel dogs. The comparative group including nine cases of LSLT. After completion of each transplant, the dogs were maintained on a ventilator for 3 hours. Thereafter serial hemodynamics were evaluated with recipients with chest X-ray, computed tomography, and lung perfusion scan checked at 2 hours after transplantation. Pathological evaluations were also performed. Five of seven SBLT successfully completed the whole assessment, all LSLT survived. In SBLT, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly elevated, but recovered 3 hours after reperfusion. The ultrastructural aspects of alveolae and pulmonary artery endothelium showed a reversible mild injury 24 hours after lung preservation and reperfusion. The present study suggests that the canine SBLT model using LPDG solution provides an excellent preservation effect and is more physiological as the dog is completely dependent on the function of the transplanted lung.     

Bilateral sequential lung transplantation: the procedure of choice for double-lung replacement

We recently described a technique for bilateral sequential lung transplantation that replaces the en bloc double-lung operation, a procedure that was accompanied by frequent problems with airway healing. Twenty-seven patients have undergone 28 bilateral sequential lung transplantations over the past 14 months. Eighteen patients had transplantation because of end-stage emphysema; 6, cystic fibrosis; and 1 each, obliterative bronchiolitis, usual interstitial pneumonitis with pulmonary fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used electively in the first 5 patients until it was recognized that the procedure could be done safely without it, and in only 3 additional recipients has it been employed. Mean ischemic time for the first lung was 276 +/- 43 minutes and for the second lung, 410 +/- 64 minutes. There have been five deaths, three in the postoperative period (11% operative mortality) and two late. The other patients are alive and well and do not require oxygen 2 to 15 months after transplantation. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second rose from 16% +/- 8% of predicted to 84% +/- 17% at 12 weeks. Six-minute walk values increased from a mean of 251 +/- 91 m to 666 +/- 42 m at 24 weeks. The excellent exposure afforded to both hemithoraces by the thoracosternotomy incision and the rare need of cardiopulmonary bypass have allowed us to offer the option of transplantation to patients who formerly would have been turned down because of previous pulmonary resection or pleurectomy. On four occasions, ventilator-dependent patients underwent successful transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bilateral lung transplant for bronchiectasis in asymmetric thorax: a case report

Patients with suppurative lung diseases such as bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis can be treated surgically, which leads to an asymmetric thorax, making lung transplant difficult in a volume-reduced hemithorax. We report a 52-year-old man with bronchiectasis and ventilation, dependent on a severe asymmetric thorax, who underwent bilateral lung transplant without cardiopulmonary bypass or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. This report suggests that bilateral lung transplant might be an efficient therapeutic option for such patients. Lung transplant is generally accepted as an effective way to deal with end-stage pulmonary diseases. Particularly, in patients with bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis, single lung transplant may lead to infectious complications more easily. Thus, bilateral lung transplant is a better choice for such patients. However, some patients with bronchiectasis may have a history of surgical resection of target areas, which leads to an asymmetric thorax and makes lung transplant more difficult. We described 1 case of bilateral lung transplant for bronchiectasis in asymmetric thorax.     

Breast reconstruction in ectodermal dysplasia.

Patients with ectodermal dysplasia may request breast reconstruction. In addition to abnormalities of other ectodermally derived structures, the breast and nipple-areolar complex may be absent or hypoplastic. Although this group of patients may have concerns with hair, nails, teeth, or even upper limb malformations, this report focuses on reconstruction of the breast anomalies. Four unrelated patients with ectodermal dysplasia who have undergone breast reconstruction are discussed.     

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED)

Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (HED) is a hereditary congenital disorder of ectodermal origin. It is characterized by lack of sweat glands (hypohidrosis), nail dystrophy(onychodysplasia), alopecia (hypotrichosis), defective palms and soles (palmoplantar hyperkeratosis) and the oral presentations of partial absence of teeth (hypodontia) or complete absence of teeth (anodontia). Hypodontia of primary and permanent dentition is one of the most frequently occurring oral symptoms in HED patients. These features of poor aesthetic affect the social and the psychological well-being of the patient. This case report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of a HED patient.