Treatment of congenital cystic lung lesions by lung resection in infant: an analysis of 56 cases

Abstract

Objective To explore the causes,surgical indications,diagnostic modalities and perioperative treatments of congenital cystic lung lesions through lung resection.Methods Retrospective analyses were performed for 56 infants undergoing lung resection for congenital cystic lung lesions between January 2008 and December 2012.There were 41 males and 15 females with a mean diagnostic age of 120 (5-330) days.The lesions included congenital pulmonary cyst (n =24),congenital lobar emphysema (n =11),congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (n =16) and pulmonary sequestration (n =5).The clinical presentations included respiratory distress (n =25,44％),respiratory infection (n=28,51％) and asymptomatic cystic lesions (n=3,5％).Lobectomy (n =18) and segmentectomy or cyst removal (n =38) were performed.Results Surgery was performed under single-lung ventilation after intravenous anesthesia.All operations were uneventful.One case underwent a second operation because of residual malformation.The remainder recovered well.The median length of follow-up was 17 (4-48) months.There was no instance of complications or physical limitations during follow-ups.Conclusions When a definite diagnosis of symptomatic congenital cystic lung lesion is made,lung resection should be performed as soon as possible and emergency operation is indicated for those with severe respiratory distress.Wedge-type or segment lobectomy should be performed according to the conditions of infants.Early diagnosis and timely operation are essential,especially for those with progressive respiratory failure. Key words: Infant; Abnormalities; Pneumonectomy