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. 2021 May;37(5):627-630.
doi: 10.1007/s00383-020-04851-5. Epub 2021 Jan 10.

Lung surgery in children and their post-operative risk of respiratory infection

Mark A Fleming 2nd  1 , Thomas O Xu  2 , Jeffrey W Gander  2 , Daniel E Levin  2
Affiliations

Lung surgery in children and their post-operative risk of respiratory infection

Mark A Fleming 2nd et al. Pediatr Surg Int. 2021 May.

Abstract

Purpose: Pediatric surgeons at our institution are often asked by families about a theoretical increased risk of severe common upper respiratory infections in children status post lung resection. No data exist on this topic. We, therefore, aimed to examine the risk of severe respiratory infection in children after pulmonary resection.

Methods: A chart review was conducted on all pediatric patients who underwent pulmonary resection between August 1st, 2009 and January 31st, 2019. Collected data included patient characteristics, operation, complications and any admission for respiratory infection.

Results: Fifty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Resections included lobectomy (45.6%), segmentectomy (14.0%), and wedge resection (40.4%). Twelve (21.1%) were immunocompromised and 6 (10.5%) had post-operative complications. Within 1 year of surgery, 2 (3.5%) patients were hospitalized for a viral upper respiratory illness (URI), 1 (1.8%) for bacterial pneumonia, and none due to influenza.

Conclusion: In the general pediatric population, the risk of admission for respiratory illness is 3-21%. At this institution, overall risk of respiratory infection after lung resection appears comparable to baseline community risk. Our findings could aid counseling pediatric patients and their families regarding the 1-year risk of infection after lung resection.

Keywords: Influenza; Pediatric; Pulmonary resection; Respiratory infection; Upper respiratory illness.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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