Lung Volume Reduction Surgery in Preterm Infant with Giant Bullae due to Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Case Report

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is still a common problem in premature infants. Some BPD patients develop acquired lobar emphysema (ALE). There is no satisfactory way to improve ALE in preterm infants with BPD. In this study, we present the youngest case of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) with BPD in preterm infants. A 560-g female baby was born at 24 weeks 1 day gestation and diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome. Her lung was deteriorated and needed prolonged ventilator support. At 6 weeks after birth, several bullae were appeared on right upper lobe and progressed to large size occupying the whole right lung field. At 3 months of age, LVRS was performed at postmenstrual age of 36 weeks due to prolonged ventilator care. Her respiratory symptoms improved after operation. She was extubated 14th day postoperatively. The remainder of her hospital course was uneventful, and she was discharged at 5 months of age. LVRS is rare procedure in the pediatric population, especially extremely rare in the preterm infants. Our case is the youngest in infants with LVRS due to BPD. LVRS might be a good therapeutic option in treatment of bullae accompanied BPD in preterm infants. KCI Citation Count: 0