Asymptomatic Congenital Lung Malformations: Timing of Resection Does Not Affect Adverse Surgical Outcomes

Major surgical conditions of childhood and their lifelong implications: comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, the survival of children with congenital anomalies and paediatric cancer has improved dramatically such that there has been a steady shift towards understanding their lifelong health outcomes. Paediatric surgeons will actively manage such conditions in childhood and adolescence, however, adult surgeons must later care for these 'grown-ups' in adulthood. This article aims to highlight some of those rare disorders encountered by paediatric surgeons requiring long-term follow-up, their management in childhood and their survivorship impact, in order that the adult specialist may be better equipped with skills and knowledge to manage these patients into adulthood.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify relevant publications. Research studies, review articles and guidelines were sought, focusing on the paediatric management and long-term outcomes of surgical conditions of childhood. The article has been written for adult surgeon readership.

RESULTS

This article describes the aforementioned conditions, their management in childhood and their lifelong implications, including: oesophageal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, malrotation, short bowel syndrome, duodenal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, choledochal malformations, biliary atresia, Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformations, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital lung lesions and paediatric cancer.

CONCLUSION

The increasing survivorship of children affected by surgical conditions will translate into a growing population of adults with lifelong conditions and specialist healthcare needs. The importance of transition from childhood to adulthood is becoming realized. It is hoped that this timely review will enthuse the readership to offer care for such vulnerable patients, and to collaborate with paediatric surgeons in providing successful and seamless transitional care.

The impact of undergoing elective pediatric lung resection during respiratory syncytial virus peak season on patient outcomes: A nationwide retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVES

Observational data to support delaying elective pediatric thoracic surgery during peak respiratory viral illness season is lacking. This study evaluated whether lung surgery during peak viral season is associated with differences in postoperative outcomes and resource utilization.

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). Patients with a congenital lung malformation (CLM) who underwent elective lung resection between 1 January 2016 and 29 February 2020 were included. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) incidence was used as a proxy for respiratory viral illness circulation. Monthly hospital-specific RSV incidence was calculated from PHIS data, and peak RSV season was defined by Centers for Disease Control data. Multivariable regression models were built to identify predictors of postoperative mechanical ventilation, which was the main outcome measure, as well as secondary outcomes including 30-day readmission after lung resection, postoperative length of stay (LOS) and hospital billing charges.

RESULTS

Of 1542 CLM patients identified, 344 (22.3%) underwent lung resection during peak RSV season. 38% fewer operations were performed per month during peak RSV season than during off-peak months (p < .001). Children who underwent surgery during peak RSV season did not differ from the off-peak group in terms of age at operation, race, or comorbid conditions (i.e., congenital heart disease, newborn respiratory distress, and preoperative pneumonia). There was no association between hospital-specific RSV incidence at the time of surgery and postoperative mechanical ventilation, postoperative LOS, 30-day readmission rate or hospital billing charges.

DISCUSSION

Performing elective lung surgery in children with CLMs during peak viral season is not associated with adverse surgical outcomes or increased utilization of healthcare resources.

Congenital lung malformations

Congenital lung malformations (CLMs) are rare developmental anomalies of the lung, including congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM), bronchopulmonary sequestration, congenital lobar overinflation, bronchogenic cyst and isolated congenital bronchial atresia. CLMs occur in 4 out of 10,000 live births. Postnatal presentation ranges from an asymptomatic infant to respiratory failure. CLMs are typically diagnosed with antenatal ultrasonography and confirmed by chest CT angiography in the first few months of life. Although surgical treatment is the gold standard for symptomatic CLMs, a consensus on asymptomatic cases has not been reached. Resection, either thoracoscopically or through thoracotomy, minimizes the risk of local morbidity, including recurrent infections and pneumothorax, and avoids the risk of malignancies that have been associated with CPAM, bronchopulmonary sequestration and bronchogenic cyst. However, some surgeons suggest expectant management as the incidence of adverse outcomes, including malignancy, remains unknown. In either case, a planned follow-up and a proper transition to adult care are needed. The biological mechanisms through which some CLMs may trigger malignant transformation are under investigation. KRAS has already been confirmed to be somatically mutated in CPAM and other genetic susceptibilities linked to tumour development have been explored. By summarizing current progress in CLM diagnosis, management and molecular understanding we hope to highlight open questions that require urgent attention.

Diagnostic accuracy of imaging compared to histology in congenital lung malformations

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of imaging tests (prenatal ultrasound [US] and postnatal computed tomography [CT]) in comparison to histology for diagnosis of congenital lung malformations (CLMs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study of patients with a prenatal diagnosis of CLM whose postnatal follow-up included thoracic CT scan and histological examination of the lesion. We collected data on demographic variables, gestational age at diagnosis, US findings and the history of multiple gestation. We used the kappa coefficient to determine the level of agreement between the findings of prenatal US and postnatal tests (CT and histology).We analysed paired data on the size of the lesion, its location and the presence or absence of systemic arterial vascularization.

RESULTS

The sample included 56 patients with 57 lesions. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 22.42 weeks (SD, 3.94) and 57% were male. Malformations most frequently involved the left lung and the lower lobes. The agreement between CT and histology in the detection of cystic lesions was moderate (κ = 0.55) but stronger compared to the agreement between US and histology (κ = 0.10). The agreement between CT and histology was substantial (κ = 0.66) in the detection of systemic vascularization of the lesion and stronger compared to the agreement between US and histology. Both imaging methods were highly accurate in the identification of the location of the pulmonary lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

postnatal CT offers a substantial concordance with histological findings, especially in the detection of systemic vascularization, and an accurate prediction of the anatomy of the lesion.

Clinical Symptoms Affect Treatment and Prognosis in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation: A Propensity Score Matching Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

Surgery for asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation patients is still debatable at this time. This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of surgery for asymptomatic patients, as well as the factors influencing the symptoms of this group of patients.

METHODS

An institutional database was sampled for congenital pulmonary airway malformation patients. Patients were divided into the symptomatic group and the asymptomatic group. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis selected patients in each group to compare perioperative outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential influences on symptomatic lesions.

RESULTS

The asymptomatic group had better perioperative results than the symptomatic group, including shorter operating times (119.39 ± 49.42 min vs 100.73 ± 23.09 min, P = 0.031), shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation (2 h [0.5-46] vs 1 h [0.5-5], P = 0.002), shorter chest tube durations (4d [2-29] vs 3d [2-10], P = 0.007), and shorter postoperative hospital stays (10d [6-36] vs 8d [6-16], P < 0.001). With the conversion to thoracotomy and postoperative complications, there was no statistically significant difference between the two PSM-matched groups (P > 0.05). Age (p = 0.037), postnatal diagnosis (p = 0.018), and maximum cyst diameter (p = 0.032) were found to be independent variables associated with symptomatic lesions by multivariable logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with congenital pulmonary airway malformation appear to have better perioperative outcomes before the beginning of symptoms. Symptomatic pulmonary lesions were associated with age, postnatal diagnosis, and maximum cyst diameter.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Surgical Management of Congenital Lung Malformations

Congenital lung malformations (CLMs) are commonly diagnosed prenatal lesions with varied natural history. Prenatal diagnosis and monitoring help to guide fetal interventions, delivery planning, and need for urgent perinatal surgical interventions. All prenatally diagnosed CLMs should be evaluated postnatally, typically with cross-sectional imaging, because many lesions persist despite the appearance of complete 'regression' in utero. Management of CLMs in asymptomatic infants weighs the surgical and anesthetic risk of prophylactic resection against the risk of expectant management, including the possibility of infection, malignant degeneration, and more complicated surgical resection later with loss of compensatory lung growth.

Should asymptomatic patients with congenital lung malformations undergo surgery? A decision analysis

BACKGROUND

Congenital lung malformations (CLMs) are being detected more frequently during pregnancy. There is controversy regarding the optimal treatment for an asymptomatic child with prenatally diagnosed CLMs. Due to the paucity of information from clinical trials, we developed decision analytic models to compare two treatment strategies for such patients-elective surgical resection versus expectant management.

METHODS

We built decision analytic models stratified by lesion size. We used data from English language literature identified through PubMed searches along with estimates from expert opinions of surgical colleagues. We analyzed results for two hypothetical asymptomatic 6-month-old children with CLMs; one has a large lesion occupying more than 50% of the involved lobe, while the other has a small lesion occupying less than 50% of the involved lobe. We used quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) to measure effectiveness.

RESULTS

For an asymptomatic child with a small or large lesion, expectant management resulted in a small gain of 0.09 or 0.15 QALYs, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed that surgical resection would be preferred if the probability of remaining asymptomatic was low.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to current practice, expectant management may be a better alternative for asymptomatic children born with CLMs. More longitudinal studies are required to improve the accuracy of the model.

Thoracoscopic surgery for congenital lung malformations: Does previous infection really matter?

BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE

Elective resection of congenital lung malformations (CLMs) is still debatable. The two main risks are malignant transformation and recurrent pulmonary infections. Our study aimed to assess the effect of previous pulmonary infection on the intraoperative and postoperative courses of thoracoscopic surgery for CLMs.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study including all thoracoscopic lung resections for CLMs between 2010 and 2019. Ninety patients were included. There was a history of previous pulmonary infection in 28 patients (group A) and no such history in 62 patients (group B).

RESULTS

The median age at operation for group A was 20.4 months (IQR:14.9-41.4) versus 15.1 months (IQR:9.7-20.8) in group B (p = 0.006). There were 10 conversions (35.7%) in group A and 8 (12.9%) in group B (p = 0.02). The operative time was significantly shorter in group B (p<0.002). In group A, 32.1% of patients experienced postoperative fever versus 11.3% of group B (p = 0.03), with higher antibiotics requirement (28.6% versus 6.5% respectively, p = 0.007). However, no significant differences were found in terms of postoperative complications (p = 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Earlier intervention for CLMs before the development of pulmonary infection carries higher chances for the success of the thoracoscopic approach with shorter operative time and more uneventful postoperative courses.

Is It Better to Operate Congenital Lung Malformations when Patients are Still Asymptomatic?

Context:

Congenital lung malformation (CLM) is a rare developmental anomaly of the lower respiratory tract. The purposes are to define if the presence of respiratory symptoms, in CLM may affect surgical outcomes and to define optimal timing for surgery in asymptomatic patients.

Settings and Design:

Retrospective review of patients with CLM from 2004 to 2018. Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were compared. Moreover, asymptomatic patients were stratified according to age at surgery (< or >6 months).

Subjects and Methods:

Demographic data, prenatal diagnosis, symptoms, CLM's characteristics, operative and postoperative data were collected. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or none of respiratory symptoms.

Statistical Analysis:

Data were compared using the Fisher's exact test for qualitative values and Mann-Whitney test for quantitative values P < 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results:

One hundred and eighty-six patients were treated. Asymptomatic were 137 (74%), while symptomatic were 49 (26%). The most common presenting symptoms were respiratory distress (n = 30, 61%) followed by pneumonia (n = 18, 38%). Prenatal diagnosis of CLM was performed in 98% of asymptomatic patients compared to 30% of symptomatic (P = 0.001). Surgical excision was performed in all cases, and in 50% by thoracoscopy, without difference between the two groups. In 97% of all cases, a lung sparing surgery was performed without difference between the groups. Symptoms are significantly associated with older age, location in the upper lobe, and lobar emphysema. Length of stay in intensive care, postoperative complications, and reintervention rate were higher in the symptomatic group. Eighty-one asymptomatic patients underwent surgery <6 months of life; they had a lower rate of surgical complications (2%) compared with those >6 months (7%).

Conclusions:

The present study describes a comprehensive picture of CLM. In addition, we emphasize the role of early postnatal management and thoracoscopic surgery, also before 6 months of life, to prevent the onset of symptoms that are associated with worse outcomes.

Thoracoscopic versus open resection for symptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformations in neonates: a decade-long retrospective study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential advantages of thoracoscopic versus open resection for symptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) in neonates.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical records of neonates (age ≤ 28 days) who underwent surgery for symptomatic CPAM from 2010 to 2020.

RESULTS

Of the 24 patients, 14 patients underwent thoracoscopic resection and 10 patients underwent open resection. 4 patients with CPAM located in the upper or middle lobes underwent lobectomy, and 20 underwent lung-preserving wedge resection in the lower lobe. Between the two groups, there were no statistically significant differences in related preoperative variables, including gestational age at birth, body weight, head circumference, lesion size, cystic adenomatoid malformation volume ratio (CVR), and age at operation (P > .05). The differences in intraoperative variables were statistically significant. The length of the surgical incision was significantly shorter in thoracoscopic resection group than in open resection group (1.4 cm [1.3-1.8] vs. 6.0 cm [5.0-8.0], P = .000), along with significantly less operative blood loss (3 ml [1-6] vs. 5 ml [2-10], P = .030) but significantly longer operation time (159 min [100-220] vs. 110 min [70-170], P = .003). Regarding postoperative variables, ventilator days, duration of chest tube use and length of hospital stay were not statistically significant (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Both thoracoscopic and open resection for symptomatic CPAM achieve good clinical outcomes, even in neonates. Thoracoscopic resection has minimal aesthetic effects and does not increase the risk of surgical or postoperative complications. Lung-preserving resection may be feasible for neonatal CPAM surgery.