Clinical outcomes after surgical resection in asymptomatic and symptomatic children with congenital lung malformations.

Purpose: Our study aims to evaluate the outcomes of children with congenital lung malformation (CLM) who have undergone surgical resection.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted among children under 18 who were diagnosed with CLM and underwent surgery at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University between January 2007 and December 2023. We collected data on surgical outcomes, including operative time, postoperative complications, and mortality rate.

Results: During our study period, a total of 38 children with CLM were undergone surgery. The median time for diagnosis was 9 months (IQR 1-33 months). Congenital pulmonary airway malformation was the most common diagnosis, affecting 26 children (68.4%). Of these, 25 children were operated on when they presented with symptoms, while 13 children were operated on even though they were asymptomatic. The median age at surgery was 12 months (IQR 3-32 months) for symptomatic children and 6 months (IQR 3-12 months) for asymptomatic children (P = 0.201). After the surgery, symptomatic children had a higher rate of postoperative complications than asymptomatic children, with 52% and 15.4%, respectively (P = 0.028). The median length of stay for symptomatic children was 17 days, compared to 11 days for asymptomatic children (P = 0.280).

Conclusions: Early surgery of CLM in asymptomatic children was associated with a lower rate of postoperative complications. Further studies are needed to investigate long-term complications.