Airway Complications Related to Lung Transplantation

This review describes the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with airway complications post lung transplant. We discuss the different types of airway complications (AC) and their management based on recent literature reviews and institutional experience.

AC are now less frequent due to improvements in procurement, surgical techniques, and post-operative management of lung transplant. Risk factors for AC are well described and involve both donor and recipient factors. The management of airway complications is not universally agreed upon, and data regarding the efficacy of different modalities is limited.

Airway management requires a multidisciplinary approach between interventional pulmonary, lung transplant, and occasionally surgical teams. With small or limited airway defects, we advocate for conservative medical management. For more extensive airway complications, advanced bronchoscopic techniques may be utilized with good outcomes. Research is needed to validate the efficacy of customized silica stents for airway complications.