Surgical aspects of resection for suspected invasive pulmonary fungal infection in neutropenic patients

Background. Morbidity and mortality of early resection of invasive pulmonary fungal disease in neutropenic patients are still considered prohibitive for surgical treatment. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed results of 28 (16 men, 12 women; mean age, 38.9 years) consecutive neutropenic hematologic patients who had lung resections for suspicion of invasive pulmonary fungal disease. Results. We did 28 lung resections (19 lobectomies, one bilobectomy, eight single or multiple wedge resections including three video-assisted wedge resections). The disease was proved histologically in 22 (78.6%) cases. Intraoperative difficulties, such as diffuse oozing or mycotic infiltration, and solid postinflammatory adhesions were encountered in 5 (17.8%) and 6 (21.4%) patients respectively. In one case (3.6%) it lead to a major intraoperative hemorrhage. There were no intraoperative deaths, overall 30-day mortality rate was two of 28 (7.1%), overall 90-day mortality rate was seven of 28 (25%), with one death (3.6%) possibly related to surgery. Minor surgery-related complications were seen in ten (35.7%) cases, major surgery-related complications occurred in three (10.7%) cases. Twelve of 22 patients (54.5%) with proven invasive fungal infection are currently alive (mean follow-up, 32.3 months). Conclusions. Surgery-related complications and mortality are acceptable for this high risk group of patients. Resection should be carried out early for diagnostic as well as therapeutic reasons.