Wrapping the anastomosis with omentum or an internal mammary artery pedicle does not improve bronchial healing after single lung transplantation: Results of a randomized clinical trial

Between May 1989 and March 1990, 36 patients undergoing a first single lung transplantation were randomized to three groups. In the omentum group the bronchial anastomosis was wrapped with an omental pedicle. In the internal mammary artery group, the anastomosis was wrapped in a pedicle of tissue surrounding the internal mammary artery. In the no wrap group, no attempt was made to revascularize the anastomosis. No significant differences were found in the indications for transplantation, recipient age, organ ischemic time, or preoperative steroid use in the three groups. There were two early deaths: one in the omentum group as a result of infection and one in the internal mammary artery group as a result of multiorgan failure. During a mean follow-up period of 21 months (range 9 to 32), there were two additional deaths in the no wrap group and four in the omentum group, one of which involved an anastomotic complication. Actuarial survival at 1 year was 75%, 92%, and 80% in the omentum, internal mammary artery, and no wrap groups, respectively (p = 0.25). Granulation tissue at the site of the anastomosis requiring cryotherapy or bronchial dilatation occurred in two patients in the omentum group, three in the internal mammary artery group, and three in the no wrap group. Bronchial stents were required in one patient in the omentum group and one in the internal mammary artery group. Actuarial survival free of anastomotic complications was similar in the three groups. The incidence of bronchial anastomotic complications after single lung transplantation is not affected by wrapping the anastomosis with either omentum or an internal mammary artery pedicle.