Lung Transplantation Outcome in Cystic Fibrosis Patients With Previous Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax is treated conservatively in a potential lung transplant population. Patients with CF and previous pneumothorax with or without pleural procedures undergoing lung transplantation have dense pleural adhesions; however, this does not affect surgical outcome significantly. Patients with emphysema, fibrosing alveolitis, or obliterative bronchiolitis were significantly more likely to be free of pleural adhesions, suggesting that the inflammatory/chronic infective component of CF independently contributes to the increased pleural adhesions. Previous pleural procedures for pneumothorax should not be considered a contraindication in the assessment of suitability for lung transplantation.