Use of taurolidine in lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis and impact on bacterial colonization

OBJECTIVES The presence of bacterial colonization that causes chronic pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients remains a key issue before lung transplantation. We sought to assess the impact of intraoperative taurolidine lavage on bacterial colonization and long-term outcomes following lung transplantation in CF patients. METHODS Between 2007 and 2013, 114 CF patients underwent lung transplantation at our institute, and taurolidine 2% bronchial lavage was applied in a substantial proportion of patients (n = 42). A detailed analysis of donor and recipient bacterial colonization status in treatment and control groups and their impact on outcome was performed. RESULTS The proportion of recipients colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was lower in the taurolidine group at 3 months (P