Morbidity and mortality of serious gastrointestinal complications after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal complications after lung transplatation are associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to describe severe gastrointestinal complications (SGC) after lung transplantation. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study that included 136 lung transplant patients during a seven year period in a tertiary care universitary hospital. SGC were defined as any diagnosis related to the gastrointestinal or biliary tract leading to lower survival rates or an invasive therapeutic procedure. Early and late complications were defined as those occurring < 30 days and ≥ 30 days post-transplant. The survival function was calculated through the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Variables were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 17 (12.5%) SGC in 17 patients. Five were defined as early. Twelve patients (70.6%) required surgical treatment. Mortality was 52.9% (n = 9). Patients with SGC had a lower overall survival rate compared to those who did not (14 vs 28 months, p = 0.0099). The development of arrhythmias in the first 48 h of transplantation was a risk factor for gastrointestinal complications (p = 0.0326). CONCLUSIONS: SGC are common after lung transplantation and are associated with a considerable increase in morbidity-mortality. Early recognition is necessary to avoid delays in treatment, since a clear predictor has not been found in order to forecast this relevant comorbidity.

Executive summary of the SEPAR recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. / Sumario ejecutivo de las recomendaciones SEPAR de diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas.

The Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology groups of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) have backed the publication of a handbook on recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Due to the high incidence and mortality of this disease, the best scientific evidence must be constantly updated and made available for consultation by healthcare professionals. To draw up these recommendations, we called on a wide-ranging group of experts from the different specialties, who have prepared a comprehensive review, divided into 4 main sections. The first addresses disease prevention and screening, including risk factors, the role of smoking cessation, and screening programs for early diagnosis. The second section analyzes clinical presentation, imaging studies, and surgical risk, including cardiological risk and the evaluation of respiratory function. The third section addresses cytohistological confirmation and staging studies, and scrutinizes the TNM and histological classifications, non-invasive and minimally invasive sampling methods, and surgical techniques for diagnosis and staging. The fourth and final section looks at different therapeutic aspects, such as the role of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, a multidisciplinary approach according to disease stage, and other specifically targeted treatments, concluding with recommendations on the follow-up of lung cancer patients and surgical and endoscopic palliative interventions in advanced stages.