Pulmonary Resection for Bronchiectasis: Perioperative and Follow-Up Outcomes in a VATS-Dominant Cohort.

Background/

Objectives

Surgical resection remains an important treatment option for selected patients with bronchiectasis who have persistent symptoms, recurrent pulmonary infections, or hemoptysis despite medical therapy. This study evaluated perioperative and follow-up outcomes after pulmonary resection for bronchiectasis in a predominantly video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)-treated cohort.

Methods

This retrospective single-center cohort included patients who underwent pulmonary resection for bronchiectasis between January 2009 and January 2026. Baseline and follow-up data were analyzed at the patient level, whereas operative and perioperative outcomes were assessed at the procedure level. Follow-up duration was calculated from the most recent resection to the last available clinical assessment.

Results

Thirty-four patients underwent 37 pulmonary resections. Multilobar disease was present in 14 procedures (37.8%). VATS was used in 30 procedures (81.1%) and thoracotomy in 7 (18.9%). Median hospital stay was 11 days (range, 4-41). Postoperative complications occurred after 6 procedures (16.2%), with no 30-day mortality. Complete or partial symptomatic improvement occurred after 31 procedures (83.8%). Median follow-up was 20.8 months (interquartile range, 5.9-58.8; range, 0.4-144.2). At the last available clinical assessment, 23 patients (67.6%) had no recorded symptoms; recurrent hemoptysis occurred in 1 (2.9%) and recurrent pulmonary infection in 2 (5.9%).

Conclusions

Pulmonary resection for bronchiectasis was associated with acceptable morbidity, no 30-day mortality, and a high rate of postoperative clinical improvement in this VATS-dominant cohort. Most patients had no recorded symptoms at their last available clinical assessment, while recurrent hemoptysis and pulmonary infection were uncommon.