Guillain-Barré Syndrome after Lung Transplantation in the Immediate Postoperative Period: Case Report

• Main Authors: Byung Mo Gu, Ho Hyun Ko, Hong Kyu Lee, Yong Joon Ra, Hee Sung Lee, Hyoung Soo Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery 2021-10-01
• Series: Journal of Chest Surgery
• Subjects: guillain-barre syndrome; lung transplantation; extracorporeal circulation; complication; acute respiratory distress syndrome; case report

A 58-year-old man, incapable of maintaining oxygen saturation with mechanical ventilation, was admitted to our hospital for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to influenza A pneumonia. His condition stabilized with antibiotics and steroid administration, but weaning from ECMO failed due to post-infectious pulmonary sequelae. On day 84 after admission, he underwent bilateral lung transplantation. In the postoperative phase, he did not regain consciousness even after discontinuation of sedatives for 3 days. However, spontaneous pupillary reflex and eye movements were preserved, while communication and upper and lower limb movements were affected. The nerve conduction study was diagnostic of Guillain-Barré syndrome. He was managed with intravenous immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis. Mild recovery of the facial muscles was seen, but he died 24 days post-surgery due to progressive ARDS and sepsis.