Gastrointestinal complications in lung transplant survivors that require surgical intervention

Background: Lung transplantation is widely accepted as a treatment for end-stage lung disease. At present, information regarding the incidence and outcome of acute gastrointestinal complications in lung transplant survivors is limited.

Methods: Since 1990, 127 lung transplantations have been performed in 125 patients: 73 males (58 per cent) and 52 females (42 per cent) of median age 43 (range 9-64) years. Patients received a standard induction and maintenance regimen of immunosuppression.

Results: At a median follow-up of 2.6 (range 0-8.6) years the overall survival rate was 68 per cent. An acute abdomen requiring surgical intervention was diagnosed in 12 patients (10 per cent). The median time following lung transplantation was 19 (range 3-68) months. Eight cases of bowel perforation, two of appendicitis, one of colitis, one of cholecystitis, and one pneumoperitoneum were encountered. Four Hartmann procedures, two sigmoid resections, one small bowel resection, two appendicectomies, a subtotal colectomy, a cholecystectomy and an exploratory laparotomy were performed with minimal morbidity and no postoperative death.

Conclusion: Lung transplant survivors are at increased risk of developing an acute abdomen because of the use of high-dose immunosuppressive agents. Physicians who evaluate lung transplant patients for an acute abdomen should have a low threshold for surgical intervention.