Importance of Physiotherapy in Post Pneumonectomy Renal Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Abstract

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare but opportunistic fungal infection that complicates immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients. Although antifungal medication is the remedial dependence in management of pulmonary mucormycosis, early surgical intervention provides advantage over medical treatment alone. However, major impairments and complications such as altered pulmonary and physical function induced by surgery are known to occur. We report the case of a 25-year-old male post renal transplantation on immunosuppression who developed invasive pulmonary mucormycosis in right middle and lower lobe. Liposomal Amphotericin B therapy provided insufficient infection control and lesion invaded the adjacent chest wall, ribs and intercostal muscles. After right pneumonectomy combined with anterior chest wall resection, the initial post-operative physiotherapy assessment was carried out. The patient was found to have productive cough, dyspnoea, chest pain, reduced chest expansion and excursion, limited range of motion of shoulder on affected side and limited activities of daily living. Six weeks of inpatient physiotherapy regime was given which included breathing exercises, thoracic mobility exercises, incentive spirometry, active range of motion exercises, positioning, bed mobility and early ambulation. Follow up assessment showed reduced pain intensity and improvement in oxygen saturation, dyspnoea, Timed up and go test (TUG) time, handgrip strength, activities of daily living and quality of life [Short form 36 (SF-36)]. Keywords: Pneumonectomy, Thoracic Surgery, Renal Transplant, Physiotherapy