Long-term results of pulmonary resections in childhood.

We have found that following lung resection in childhood, one-third of the patients followed-up at least 10 years postoperatively presented mainly minor complaints. Compared with follow-up examinations about 8 years age [4], findings had changed only in two bronchiectasis patients. In both cases a moderate exertion dyspnea had occured. Although pulmonary function tests still showed normal values, the radiologic findings according to residual bronchiectasis had increased. Altogether, pulmonary function tests, however, sometimes show a considerable interference with lung ventilation, which seems to be astonishingly well compensated in childhood. They should not be neglected, however, with regard to strains and physiological changes in later life. Therefore, the indications for pulmonary resection in childhood have to be evaluated very carefully and the extent of the resection should be kept as small as possible.