Comparison of traditional microbiological culture and 16S polymerase chain reaction analyses for identification of preoperative airway colonization for patients undergoing lung resection

Rates of colonization identified by culture and 16S PCR analyses of BAL samples were similar. Future research should attempt to clarify associations between airway colonization identified by 16S PCR and outcomes. 16S PCR may be useful when stratifying risk of postoperative respiratory complications.