Indications and results of lung resection in bronchiectasis

The prevalence of bronchiectasis has decreased significantly over recent decades in developed countries. However, resection for bronchiectasis still plays an important role in thoracic surgery practice in some countries such as Portugal. Between 1994 and 2004, 51 patients (29 female and 22 male) with a mean age of 38.6 years (range, 4-65 years) underwent pulmonary resection for bronchiectasis. Mean duration of symptoms was 4.8 years. Surgery was indicated because of unsuccessful medical therapy in 25 patients (49.1%), hemoptysis in 12 (23.5%), lung mass in 9 (17.6%) and lung abscess in 5 (9.8%). The surgical treatment was as follows: pneumectomy in 7 patients, bilobectomy in 3, lobectomy in 36 segmentectomy in 5. There was no operative mortality. Complications occurred in 8 patients and the morbidity rate was 15.7%. Follow-up was complete in 45 (88.2%) patients with a mean of 3.4 years. Overall, 35 (77.7%) patients were asymptomatic after surgery symptoms were improved in 7 (15.6%). Unsuccessful medical therapy was still our main indication for surgery of bronchiectasis, despite aggressive antibiotic therapy. Surgical resection was performed with acceptable morbidity and morbility rates and markedly improved symptoms in the majority of patients.