Abstract
Background
Resection for localized bronchiectasis is a well established therapy. However, there is little information on the role of surgery in non-localized bronchiectasis.
Methods
Between January 1992 and April 2001, 55 patients without cystic fibrosis underwent resection. Forty-eight patients (mean age 45 (range 23โ74) years; 32 women) were available for long-term follow-up. Twenty-five patients underwent resection for localized disease (group 1) and 23 had bronchiectasis in at least two different lobes (group 2).
Results
Thirty-one of the 48 patients were treated by Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) resection. There was no 30-day mortality. Mean duration of hospital stay was 10ยท9 (range 6โ31) days in group 1 and 11ยท1 (range 5โ19) days in group 2. Three of 25 patients in group 1 required reoperation. Only minor complications occurred in group 2 (three patients). Mean follow-up for both groups was 37 (range 6โ97) months. Twenty-three of 25 patients in group 1 and 16 of 23 in group 2 reported satisfaction at 6 months after the operation. Recurrent infection was noted in three patients in each group. Haemoptysis recurred in only one patient in group 2.
Conclusion
The surgical treatment of selected patients with non-localized bronchiectasis was safe and most patients were satisfied with the outcome.