Short term outcome of lung resection in children-a preliminary report from India

Abstract

Background :With advancement in technologylung resection surgeries are commonly being done in children for various congenital and acquired reasons refractory to medical management. Consequently, it becomes imperativeto assess their outcomes, short and long term, and association, if any with resection technique. In the present study, researchers intend to study short term outcome of lung resection in such children, who underwent resection at their institute, a tertiary care centrefrom North India. Methodology:A retrospective review of the patients who underwent lung resection for a benign condition (CLL and acquired lung disease), from 2000-2011 was done. Children aged more than 4 years at the time of evaluation and at least one year post surgery were included in the study. Children with associated co-morbidities or had undergone non anatomical lung resection or resection performed for empyema thoracis or a mass lesion like teratoma were excluded. Participants were subjected to clinical, radiological and spirometric evaluation.Result :Twenty patients at a mean follow up of 3.41 years and mean age of 7.55 years (± SD 3.69) were evaluated for final analysis. Most common indication for surgery was congenital lung lesions (CLL) (65%). Pulmonary function was assessed only in 45% (n = 9) of the patients and it showed mild restriction. Winging of scapula most common musculoskeletal problem seen in children who undergone muscle cutting incision for thoracotomy. Most patients were clinically well. Only two patients, had recurrent cough and required readmissions for respiratory infections. Most patients (90%) showed good somatic growth. All cases had shown compensatory growth of the remaining lung tissue, irrespective of the age at surgery and the indication for surgery.Conclusion:We conclude that lung resection surgery is well tolerated by these children.Child attained good somatic growth and remaining lung tissue grew well to compensate, irrespective of the age and the indication for surgery. Musculoskeletal abnormalities are more following muscle cutting incision.