Abstract:

Objective: To explore the value of pneumonectomy in the treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis by reviewing relevant literature. Methods: A total of 10 patients were found having pulmonary mucormycosis treated with pneumonectomy through searching CNKI and PubMed database from 2004 to 2024. This study summarized characteristics of these 10 patients and analyzed indications and effectiveness of pneumonectomy in the treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis. Results: All 10 patients were deeply infected, 1 case showed signs of disseminated infection in the remaining lungs, 8 out of the 10 patients had pulmonary artery invasion proved by postoperative pathological test, and 2 of them formed pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm. Nine patients were found having main bronchial invasion, one of them involved carina, and one case had an astrobnopleural fistula. Among the 10 patients, 6 had diabetes mellitus, among whom 4 got long-term cure after surgery and 2 died during perioperative period. There were 3 patients with hematologic diseases and 1 patient with both hematologic diseases and diabetes mellitus, all of them died of hematologic diseases and related complications during the follow-up. Conclusion: Pulmonary mucormycosis has the characteristics of rapid progression and invasion of large vessels and central airways. In the presence of deep infection, involving pulmonary artery trunk and branches, invading main bronchus, etc., it can be used as indication for pneumonectomy. The underlying disease should be actively controlled, combined with antifungal drug therapy and intensive postoperative monitoring, which can reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Key words: Lung, Mucormycosis, Pneumonectomy, Therapeutic uses