Matteo Montoli

Lung Allocation Score: A Single-Center Simulation.

BACKGROUND The lung allocation score (LAS) was introduced in the United States in May 2005 with the main goal of reducing the waiting list mortality of patients with end-stage lung diseases, but also to enhance the lung transplant benefit and improve the management of urgent candidates. Several papers have reported that LAS resulted in a reduction of the waiting list mortality but no significant survival benefit was noted. METHODS We evaluate the usefulness of LAS as a predictor for lung transplantation outcome in 123 patients listed for lung transplantation in an Italian center. Primary endpoints were waiting list mortality and posttransplant mortality at 1 year; secondary endpoints included perioperative circulatory support, cardiopulmonary bypass, primary graft dysfunction, and long-term survival after transplantation. RESULTS We observed the absence of correlation between LAS and waiting list mortality. The LAS did not affect the long-term survival in our population. CONCLUSIONS High LAS was predictive of primary graft dysfunction of grade 3 in the first 72 hours after transplantation.

Lung transplantation from donor with tracheal bronchus: case report and literature review

Donor lung abnormalities are quite rare; one of them is the presence of bronchial anomalies, whose incidence range is from 0.1% to 0.5%. The upper right tracheal bronchus is one of the most frequent anatomic variations. We present a case of successful double lung transplant in a young female patient affected by cystic fibrosis from a donor with upper right tracheal bronchus, emerging 2 rings before the tracheal carina. During implantation of the left lung, we performed a double apical segmentectomy on back table; therefore, the right lung was implanted with the standard technique. Four cases of graft transplant characterized by the presence of tracheal bronchus are reported in the scientific literature; the authors report 4 different technical solutions to tackle the problem of anatomic anomaly. We report the first case of graft segmentectomy at back table suggesting a simple, safe, and time-sparing procedure. In conclusion, provided that the team has sufficient skill in reductive surgery at the back table and the anthropometric data are permissive, we stress the opportunity to downsize the graft in order to minimize anastomotic risks and save time.

Prophylactic continuous positive airway pressure after pulmonary lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Background Despite advances in perioperative care and surgical techniques, patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy are still at high risk for postoperative complications. Among interventions expected to reduce complications, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a discussed option. This trial aims to test the hypothesis whether prophylactic application of CPAP following pulmonary lobectomy can reduce postoperative complications. Methods The study was designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer scheduled for pulmonary lobectomy were eligible and were trained for the use of CPAP interface. The control group received standard postoperative pain management and physiotherapy; in addition, the study group received CPAP (PEEP 8-12 cmH2O, 2 hours thrice daily for three days). Results After the appropriate selection, 163 patients were considered for the analysis: 82 patients constituted the control group, 81 the study group. The two groups were substantially comparable for preoperative parameters. The rate of postoperative complications was lower in the study group (24.7% vs. 43.9%; P=0.015) as well as the hospital stay (6 vs. 7 days; P=0.031). The stepwise logistic regression model identified: CPAP [odd ratio (OR): 0.3026, CI: 0.1389-0.6591], smoke habits [OR: 2.5835, confidence interval (CI): 1.0331-6.4610] and length of surgery in minutes (OR: 1.0102, CI: 1.0042-1.0163) as regressors on postoperative complications. Conclusions The present trial demonstrated that prophylactic application of CPAP during the postoperative period after pulmonary lobectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer was effective in prevent postoperative complications.

Lobar Lung Transplantation From Deceased Donor: Monocentric Experience

INTRODUCTION Lung transplantation is considered a therapeutic option in selected patients affected by end-stage pulmonary disease. The mortality on the waiting list is mainly attributed to the shortage of the donor pool available for transplantation. There are various strategies to overcome this shortage; one of them is lobar transplantation. METHODS The aim of the current study was to analyze the outcome of lobar lung transplantation from deceased donors in our Lung Transplant Center. Overall survival, perioperative mortality and morbidity, problem on bronchial anastomosis, and chronic rejection were prospectively recorded in a 5-year time-frame. RESULTS From November 2010 to October 2015, we performed 100 lung transplantations; 6 of which (6%) were lobar transplantations from deceased donors. Three recipients were on an emergency list due to preoperative extracorporeal support. The causes of lobectomy leading to lobar transplantation were: size mismatch (3), iatrogenic vascular damage (2), and chronic atelectasis (1). One patient died 5 months after surgery for sepsis; and 5 patients were alive at the study end (median follow-up: 17.5 months). Prevalence of grade 3 primary graft dysfunction at 72 hours was 50%. One patient developed bronchial stenosis. No cases of chronic rejection were recorded. CONCLUSIONS Lobar transplantation can be considered a valid tool to overcome the donor pool shortage in selected cases; such a technique has proved particularly useful in critically ill patients who were scheduled in an emergency transplant program.