Comparison of postoperative lung function between segmentectomy and lobectomy in patients with lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND: To determine any potential advantages of segmentectomy, we compared preoperative and postoperative lung function of patients who underwent segmentectomy with those in patients who underwent lobectomy. PATIENTS & METHODS: Between September 2001 and November 2003, preoperative and postoperative lung function, including DLco, was assessed in 43 patients with primary lung carcinoma. Of these 43 patients, 33 underwent single lobectomy (group L) and 10 underwent segmentectomy (group S). Both groups were examined for differences in lung volume through VC and FEV1.0 data, and all postoperative examinations were performed at 2 weeks after surgery. Changes in DLco (deltaDLco), VC (deltaVC) and FEV1.0 (deltaFEV1.0) were calculated and we compared the data for group L with those of group S. RESULTS: Mean values for deltaVC, deltaFEV1.0 and deltaDLco in group L were 31.8 +/- 9.3, 29.6 +/- 10.9 and 27.2 +/- 14.0%, respectively, while these values in group S were 22.9 +/- 7.9, 20.1 +/- 9.6 and 13.9 +/- 11.6%, respectively. deltaVC, deltaFEV1.0 and deltaDLco were significantly smaller in group S than in group L (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Segmentectomy was superior to lobectomy with regard to preservation of lung function in the early postoperative period.     

Predictors of early morbidity after major lung resection in patients with and without airflow limitation

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of morbidity after major lung resection for non-small cell lung carcinoma in patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) greater than or equal to 70% of predicted and in those with FEV1 less than 70% of predicted. METHODS: Five hundred forty-four patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy from 1993 through 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (450 cases), with FEV1 greater than or equal to 70%, and group B (94 cases), with FEV1 less than 70%. Differences between complicated and uncomplicated patients were tested within each group. RESULTS: Morbidity rate was not significantly different between group A and group B (20.4% and 24.5%, respectively; p = 0.4). In group A, multivariate analysis showed that predicted postoperative FEV1 was the only significant independent predictor of complications. In group B, no significant predictor was identified. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with preoperative FEV1 less than 70% of predicted, predicted postoperative FEV1 was not predictive of postoperative morbidity. Thus, predicted postoperative FEV1 should not be used alone as a selection criteria for operation in these high-risk patients.     

Study on indication of unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion test in patients undergoing pneumonectomy

We tried to establish an indication of unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion test (UPAO), by analyzing the preoperative data of UPAO, overall and regional pulmonary function tests, and arterial blood gas in 55 patients who were intended for pneumonectomy. Our limits of functional indication for pneumonectomy were PPA less than or equal to 25 mmHg or TPVRI less than or equal to 700 dyne.cm-5.m2. PPA correlated with the inverse of contralateral FEV1.0/BSA (FEV section 1.0) and DLCO/BSA (section DLCO), which were calculated by multiplying preoperative values by contralateral ventilation fraction. TPVRI correlated with age, the inverse of PaO2, the inverse of FEV section 1.0, and the inverse of section DLCO. Multiple regression analysis yielded the equation, TPVRI approximately p = 1120/section DLCO + 24800/PaO2 + 6.40 X Age -506. In order to make false negative zero, the values of each parameter were as follows: age greater than or equal to 55, PaO2 less than or equal to 85 mmHg, FEV section 1.0 less than or equal to 0.8 L/m2, section DLCO less than or equal to 6.0 ml/min/mmHg/m2 and TPVRI approximately p greater than or equal to 450 dyne.sec.cm-5.m2. The specificities of each parameter were 18.6%, 20.9%, 39.2%, 40.4% and 59.0%. Therefore, in order to make false positive patients least, the criteria of TPVRI approximately p greater than or equal to 450 dyne.sec.cm-5.m2 should be used.     

Minimal alteration of pulmonary function after lobectomy in lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) on postoperative pulmonary function and to elucidate the factors for decreasing the reduction of pulmonary function after lobectomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 521 patients who had undergone lobectomy for lung cancer at Chiba University Hospital between 1990 and 2000. Forty-eight patients were categorized as COPD, defined as percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) less than or equal to 70% and percentage of FEV1 to forced vital capacity less than or equal to 70%. The remaining 473 patients were categorized as non-COPD. RESULTS: Although all preoperative pulmonary function test data and arterial oxygen tension were significantly lower in the COPD group, postoperative arterial oxygen tension and FEV1 were equivalent between the two groups, and the ratio of actual postoperative to predicted postoperative FEV1 was significantly better in the COPD group (p < 0.001). With multivariable analysis, COPD and pulmonary resection of the lower portion of the lung (lower or middle-lower lobectomies) were identified as independent factors for the minimal deterioration of FEV1. Actual postoperative FEV1 was 15% lower and higher than predicted, respectively, in the non-COPD patients with upper portion lobectomy and the COPD patients with lower portion lobectomy. Finally, we created a new equation for predicting postoperative FEV1, and it produced a higher coefficient of determination (R(2)) than the conventional one. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative ventilatory function in patients with COPD who had lower or middle-lower lobectomies was better preserved than predicted.     

Surgical treatment for lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary function.

This retrospective study was aimed to review the risk factors of postoperative hospital death in lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary reserves. We performed surgery on 30 lung cancer patients (average age: 71 years) with less than 1.0L of preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0 < 1.0L) between 1982 and 2003. The preoperative FEV1.0 of these 30 patients was 0.81+/-0.1L on average. Six of 20 patients who underwent surgery between 1982 and 1997 died during their postoperative hospital stay (hospital death group). Between 1998 and 2003, 10 patients underwent surgery with uneventful postoperative courses. The clinical background was evaluated between the hospital death group (n = 6) and the survivor group (n = 24). The single-variable analysis of the preoperative conditions of the postoperative hospital death revealed the presence of two or more preoperative concomitant diseases (p < 0.001) and a performance status of grade 2 or higher (p = 0.005). Peripheral obstructive pneumonia with abscess and chronic pleurisy with adhesion influenced surgery and related to their postoperative hospital death. Whereas, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) tended to show that pulmonary resection resulted in an improvement of pulmonary functions. Conclusion: To achieve better results of surgical treatment for patients with preoperative FEV1.0 < 1.0L, patient selection should be required based on precise evaluation of physical conditions and management of infectious diseases. Moreover, we thought that a preoperative performance status of grade 1 or lower, at most one preoperative concomitant disease, and a COPD are desirable for deciding the surgical indication.     

Identification of prognostic factors determining risk groups for lung resection

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary resection belongs to a group of surgical procedures with significant morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to classify postoperative complications and to identify prognostic factors determining risk group. METHODS: In a prospective study 500 patients undergoing lung resection (wedge resection, n = 141; lobectomies, n = 245; bilobectomies, n = 12; and pneumonectomies, n = 102) were included. In 178 patients (36%) pulmonary resections were extended to structures or thoracic organs. Sleeve resection of the bronchus to preserve lung parenchyma was performed in 22 patients. RESULTS: Classification of postoperative complications fell into four categories: patients without postoperative complications; patients with moderate complications (n = 137); patients with severe complications (n = 38); and death (n = 33). Factors adversely affecting postoperative complications by multivariate analysis included pulmonary pathology, bronchoplastic technique, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), extended resection, type of lung resection, comorbidity indices, and preoperative chemotherapy. Four risk groups were determined. Risk group I (n = 60) with the best prognosis included patients with FEV1 greater than or equal to 80% undergoing wedge resection for a benign lesion or metastasis. Risk group II (n = 161) included patients with FEV1 greater than or equal to 80% undergoing major pulmonary resection for a benign lesion or metastasis or lung cancer, or patients with FEV1 less than 80% undergoing wedge resection for benign lesion or metastasis. Risk group III (n = 233) with a fair prognosis included patients with comorbidity indices less than 4 and FEV1 greater than or equal to 80% undergoing extended pulmonary resection for a benign lesion or metastasis or lung cancer, or patients with FEV1 less than 80% and emphysema. Risk group IV (n = 46) with the worst prognosis included patients with FEV1 less than 80% undergoing an extended lung resection or bronchoplastic procedures for a benign lesion or metastasis or lung cancer, or patients with comorbidity indices greater than or equal to 4 undergoing extended lung resection for lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In a prospective study, based on these prognostic factors, a practical, easy-to-use risk group system of lung resection is proposed as a tool to aid the decision to perform lung resection.     

The value of 99mTc macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scanning in the prediction of postpneumonectomy function and pulmonary artery pressure

99mTc macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scans were performed with assessment of pulmonary hemodynamics in 14 male patients with a centrally located lung tumor, subjected to pneumonectomy. In 7 patients perfusion of the affected lung was less than one third of total perfusion. However, all tumors were resectable. Results show that predictive value of the perfusion scan was significant (p less than 0.02) with regard to forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1, r = 0.80). A fair but not significant correlation existed in the prediction of vital capacity (VC, r = 0.64) and total lung capacity (TLC, r = 0.71). No correlation was found between perioperative change in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) and either relative radionuclide uptake of the affected lung or predicted FEV1. So, the lung perfusion scan cannot be used in preoperative estimation of postoperative MPAP.     

A case report of left upper lobectomy for lung cancer performed on an aged man of 90 year old]

A 90-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of the dyspnea on exertion and an abnormal shadow of the chest. The examinations revealed pulmonary adenocarcinoma (bronchioloalveolar cell type) of the left S3 with clinical classification of stage I. Spirometry showed severe obstructive lung dysfunction (VC 2.05 l, % VC 75.2%, FEV1.0 0.72 l, FEV1.0% 39.3%). Walking exercise in the ward and the stairs as well as instrumental physiotherapy (Triflow) partially improved his respiratory function. Left upper lobectomy and lymphnode dissection were performed. On the 3rd postoperative day the patient developed mild delirium which disappeared in a few days. He was discharged from the hospital 62 days after the operation.     

术前肺功能参数预测低肺功能患者肺癌根治术后并发呼吸衰竭的评价

目的对拟行肺癌根治术的低肺功能患者进行常规肺功能检测和脉冲强迫振荡技术（IOS）检测，评价术前肺功能参数预测低肺功能患者肺癌根治术后并发呼吸衰竭的价值。方法按照常规肺功能评价标准和术前肺功能测定结果，选择52例拟行肺癌根治术、低肺功能患者，根据术后是否发生呼吸衰竭分为呼衰组和非呼衰组。术前检测常规肺功能参数：第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV1．0）、肺活量（VC）及最大通气量（MVV）；IOS检测参数：周边气道阻力（R5-R20）、弹性阻力（X5）、共振频律（Fres）。结果两组FEV1．0、R5-R50、X5、Fres差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；Logisfic回归分析显示仅Fres为预测术后呼吸衰竭发生的独立因素（P〈0．01）。结论Fres有助于预测低肺功能肺癌患者全肺切除术后是否发生呼吸衰竭。     

Preoperative pulmonary function as a prognostic factor for stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify preoperative lung function as a prognostic factor for the long-term survival of, and to discuss the appropriateness of lobectomy for, patients with stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma who have poor preoperative pulmonary function. METHODS: The study group consisted of 402 lobectomized patients with stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma treated by complete resection from 1985 to 1997. Preoperative percent forced vital capacity [(forced vital capacity/predicted forced vital capacity) x 100], FEV(1)% [(forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity) x 100], arterial carbon dioxide tension, and smoking were statistically analyzed as prognostic factors together with other host and tumor biologic factors. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumor size (p < 0.0001) was the most significant prognostic factor for survival from primary lung cancer. Age (p < 0.0001), sex (p = 0.0036), and FEV(1)% (p = 0.0046) were found to be independent prognostic factors for survival from death by nonprimary lung cancer-related causes. Smoking was highly correlated with FEV(1)% (correlation coefficient = -0.511; p < 0.0001). The 100 patients with a preoperative FEV(1)% less than 70% included 34 patients with nonprimary lung cancer-related deaths, whereas the 302 patients with an FEV(1)% of 70% or greater included only 23 patients (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Along with tumor size, FEV(1)% is the most significant prognostic factor for patients with stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma with regard to survival from death by other causes. Lobectomy may not be preferred as an appropriate surgical modality for patients with stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma with small peripheral nodules who exhibit poor pulmonary function, especially lowered FEV(1)%.     

Assessment of exercise oxygen consumption as preoperative criterion for lung resection

Determination of preoperative pulmonary function is crucial in avoiding complications from pulmonary resection. Many have employed static pulmonary function testing in an attempt to decrease morbidity and mortality from lung resections. The purpose of the present study was to correlate preoperative static pulmonary function, one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and exercise O2 consumption (MVO2) with postoperative morbidity and mortality. Fifty consecutive patients underwent preoperative FEV1 and MVO2 determinations. A criterion for surgical resection included an FEV1 greater than 1.7 liters for pneumonectomy, greater than 1.2 liters for lobectomy, and greater than 0.9 liters for wedge resection. The surgeon was blinded as to the results of MVO2 studies. Mean age was 63.8 years (range, 47 to 76 years). There were 10 pneumonectomies, 28 lobectomies, and 12 wedge resections. Among the 50 surgical candidates selected solely on the standard FEV1 values, mortality was 4% (2/50) and morbidity, 12% (6/50). Stratification on the basis of exercise performance showed a 29% mortality (2/7) and a 43% morbidity (3/7) in patients with an MVO2 less than 10 ml/kg/min. Patients with an MVO2 less than 20 but greater than 10 ml/kg/min had a 10.7% morbidity (3/28), and there were no deaths. No patients with an MVO2 greater than 20 ml/kg/min sustained any morbidity or died (p less than 0.001). We conclude that exercise is an important criterion in the preoperative evaluation of patients for pulmonary surgery. An MVO2 less than 10 ml/kg/min is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.     

Prognostic value of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary and chronic lung diseases have become a common association. This comorbidity has been generically considered by most of the operative risk scores, but its functional severity has seldom been addressed by these models. Our objective was to analyze its prognostic relevance considering preoperative pulmonary function parameters. METHODS: All patients undergoing CABG from May 1993 to December 2004 have been reviewed. One thousand four hundred and twelve patients with preoperative pulmonary function test were finally included in the study. Obstructive lung disease was defined when FEV1/FVC<0.7. In-hospital mortality and complication rate related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its degree of severity (FEV1%) were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of mortality. RESULTS: A pathologic preoperative pulmonary function test was found in 39% of patients: obstructive in 26% (FEV1/FVC<0.7), restrictive in 9% and combined obstructive-restrictive in 4%. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with abnormal test: 6.5% versus 0.9% (p<0.001). Mortality was clearly related with the severity of lung disease: 0.9% in patients with FEV1: >80%, 0.4% in FEV1: 60-80%, 10.8% in FEV1: 40-59% and 54% in FEV1: <40%. In the latter group, other intercurrent prognostic factors were observed. Patients with FEV1<60% had higher mortality than those with FEV1>60%: 24.6% versus 1.4% (p<0.001). Chronic obstructive lung disease was not an independent predictor of mortality but FEV1< or =60% was significantly associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: This study on chronic lung comorbidity in CABG patients shows that this association can be of deleterious prognostic value but this effect is directly related to the degree of functional severity. Preoperative FEV1<60% must be considered as a primary prognostic factor in patients undergoing CABG procedures.     

肺癌术后呼吸功能衰竭高危因素临床分析

目的 探讨肺癌术后发生呼吸功能衰竭的高危因素。方法 实验组采用肺癌术后呼吸衰竭21例,并以同期肺癌手术未发生呼衰的84例作为对照组,用x~2检验。结果 术后呼衰组的术前肺功能指标,如肺活量占预计值百分比(VC％)、最大通气量占预计值百分比(MVV％)、第一秒呼气容积(FEV1.0)、第一秒呼气量占用力肺活量百分比(FEV1.0/FVC％)等均明显低于无呼衰组。根据手术方式分析,袖式肺叶切除、肺叶切除组的呼衰发生率均低于全肺切除组。肺癌术后肺部感染亦导致呼衰发生率增高。结论 肺功能下降、术后肺部感染是肺癌术后呼吸功能衰竭的高危因素。肺功能较差的病人应尽量避免全肺切除。     

Pulmonary function after bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Pulmonary function was measured before and at intervals after treatment in 44 patients who received a bone marrow transplant for chronic myeloid leukaemia in the chronic phase. All patients were treated with cytotoxic drugs, total body irradiation, and post-graft immunosuppression. Thirty four patients surviving for 12 months were followed at three monthly intervals and 16 patients for 24 months. Fifteen patients received unmanipulated donor marrow cells and 29 patients received donor marrow cells depleted of lymphocytes ex vivo with the monoclonal antibody Campath-1. The 21 patients treated early in this study received 10 Gy of total body irradiation whereas the 23 patients treated more recently, who were all T lymphocyte depleted, received 12 Gy. Pretransplant lung function for the group was normal and was similar in survivors (n = 34) and nonsurvivors (n = 10), and in smokers (n = 8) and non-smokers (n = 36). (Carbon monoxide transfer factor--TLCO) was under 75% of predicted normal in nine patients before transplantation. TLCO, carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO), FEV1, and vital capacity (VC) values were lower 6 and 12 months after bone marrow transplant than initially. The greatest decline was in TLCO, from an initial value of 89% to 66% at 6 and 70% at 12 months. The 16 longer term survivors showed significant recovery of function between 6 and 24 months after bone marrow transplant for TLCO, KCO, and VC, the increase ranging from 6.3% to 7.3% predicted. Airflow obstruction (FEV1/VC ratio less than 70%) developed in one patient. The major factors associated with deterioration in pulmonary function at 6 and 12 months after transplantation in the 34 survivors (stepwise multiple regression analysis) were (a) transplantation with T cell depleted donor marrow (p less than 0.005) and higher total body irradiation dose (p less than 0.02) with a fall in KCO and an increase in the FEV1/VC ratio; (b) chronic graft versus host disease with a fall in VC (p less than 0.01); and less fall in KCO (p less than 0.01); and (c) acute graft versus host disease with a fall in FEV1 (p less than 0.01). It is considered that most patients who survive the short term risks of bone marrow transplant have only minor long term impairment of pulmonary function.     

Simplified prediction of postoperative lung function by plain chest roentgenogram in patients with primary lung cancer--in correlation to postoperative respiratory complications

For the purpose of simplification of prediction of postoperative lung function, we studied to predict lung function by analizing the frontal and lateral view of chest plain roentgenogram and investigate the correlation to respiratory complication on 111 patients with lung cancer. According to TNM classification of lung cancer, prediction was performed as follows. Predicted postoperative lung function = [(42-number of resected subsegments)/(42-number of occupied subsegments)] x preoperative VC or FEV1.0. In this formula, 42 was the number of functioning subsegments of whole lung (right: 22, left: 20), and then preoperative occupied subsegments was ordered by T factor, where T1 lesion in lung field was prescribed as 1 subsegment and T2 was more than 2 subsegments respectively in plain chest roentgenogram. And also, on the patients having hilar lesions, it was required to calculate the number of subsegments in atelectasis, peripheral obstructive pneumonia and/or partial emphysematous change due to intrabronchial lesions. There was uniformly positive correlations in VC (R = 0.7949) and FEV1.0 (R = 0.8235) of the patients studied respectively. The patients having pneumonectomy showed tendency of over estimation, on the other hand, the patients having resection of a few segments showed under estimation. To predict the postoperative respiratory condition, we calculated the predicted post-operative %VC and %FEV1.0 for predicted preoperative normal VC and FEV1.0. Above the al, we tried to investigate the correlation with predicted postoperative %VC, %FEV1.0 and postoperative respiratory complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

肝硬化门静脉高压症病人呼吸功能和肺循环血流动力学变化的临床研究

目的:研究肝硬化门静脉高压症(PHT)病人呼吸功能和肺循环血流动力学的变化。方法:对118例PHT病人(按Child-Pugh分级分为A、B、C3组)和10例对照组病人(N组)的血液生化、肺功能、动脉血气分析、自由门静脉压力(FPP)和肺循环血流动力学等资料进行分析对比。结果:PHT病人动脉低氧血症总体发生率为27.1%,其中A组为11.1%,B组为23.5%,C组为60.0%。PaO2与FPP及Child-Pugh分级呈显著负相关,与全身血管阻力(SVR)呈显著正相关。C组病人肺泡-动脉血氧分压差(A-aDO2)升高,与A、B组相比有显著性差异(P<0.05)。肺功能检查中,C组肺活量(VC)、用力肺活量(FVC)和一氧化碳弥散量(DLCO)显著降低(P<0.05),1秒率(FEV1/FVC)显著升高(P<0.05)。血流动力学检查表明PHT病人有明显的全身高排低阻型血流动力学紊乱和门静脉系统高血流动力学状态,以C组病人最为严重。和N组相比,C组病人的心脏指数(CI)、中心静脉压(CVP)和FPP均显著升高,SVR显著降低,并与A、B组间也存在显著差异(P<0.05)。肺循环也表现为高排低阻的高动力循环状态,与N组平均肺动脉压(MPAP)相比,A、B、C3组均显著升高(P<0.05);A、B、C3组的肺动脉楔压(PAWP)显著高于N组(P<0.05);3组的肺血管阻力(PVR)明显低于N组(P<0.05)。但MPAP、PAWP和PVR在A、B、C3组间无显著性差异。结论:动脉低氧血症是PHT病人最常见的呼吸功能异常之一,发生率随肝功能损害程度加重而增加。肺血管张力调节功能丧失在肝功能代偿期时就已发生,是导致低氧血症的病理生理基础。Child-PughB、C级病人还伴有弥散功能障碍和限制性通气障碍。高排低阻型高动力状态是PHT病人肺循环血流动力学变化的特点,PVR异常在肝功能尚处代偿期时就已发生。     

Use of radionuclide scanning in the preoperative estimation of pulmonary function after pneumonectomy.

Twenty eight patients with bronchial carcinoma were studied before pneumonectomy. Measurement of spirometric indices, static lung volumes, transfer factor (TLCO), and transfer coefficient (KCO) was undertaken before and four months after pneumonectomy. Fourteen of the patients also performed a symptom limited progressive exercise test on a cycle ergometer before and four months after pneumonectomy. All patients had standard xenon-133 ventilation and technetium-99m perfusion scans performed before operation. Eleven patients had krypton-81m ventilation scans in addition. Significant correlations were seen between changes in FEV1, TLCO and KCO and the preoperative function of the resected lung as determined by percentage preoperative perfusion to that lung (p less than 0.001). There were mean decreases in FEV1 of 22% and in vital capacity (VC) of 28.7% predicted. Estimation of postoperative FEV1 from the preoperative values showed equally good agreement with measured postoperative values whether 99mTc perfusion or 81mKr ventilation scans were used in the 11 patients in whom both scans were available. Significant correlations were seen between change in maximum exercise ventilation (VEmax) or maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) after pneumonectomy and percentage preoperative perfusion to the resected lung (p less than 0.001). Estimation of postoperative maximum ventilation and maximum oxygen uptake from the postoperative values on the basis of 99mTc perfusion scans showed good agreement with observed values. Perfusion scans are useful in estimating not only the changes in spirometric indices that follow pneumonectomy for bronchial carcinoma but also changes in carbon monoxide transfer and exercise capacity.     

Reduction of postoperative pulmonary complications after lung surgery using a fast track clinical pathway.

BACKGROUND: Fast track programs, multimodal therapy strategies, have been introduced in many surgical fields to minimize postoperative morbidity and mortality. In terms of lung resections no randomized controlled trials exist to evaluate such patient care programs. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized controlled pilot study a conservative and fast track treatment regimen in patients undergoing lung resections was compared. Main differences between the two groups consisted in preoperative fasting (6h vs 2h) and analgesia (patient controlled analgesia vs patient controlled epidural analgesia). Study endpoints were pulmonary complications (pneumonia, atelectasis, prolonged air leak), overall morbidity and mortality. Analysis was performed in an intention to treat. RESULTS: Both study groups were similar in terms of age, sex, preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), American Society of Anesthesiologists score and operations performed. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications was 35% in the conservative and 6.6% in the fast track group (p=0.009). A subgroup of patients with reduced preoperative FEV(1) (<75% of predicted value) experienced less pulmonary complications in the fast track group (55% vs 7%, p=0.023). Overall morbidity was not significantly different (46% vs 26%, p=0.172), mortality was comparable in both groups (4% vs 3%). CONCLUSION: We evaluated an optimized patient care program for patients undergoing lung resections in a prospective randomized pilot study. Using this fast track clinical pathway the rate of pulmonary complications could be significantly decreased as compared to a conservative treatment regimen; our results support the implementation of an optimized perioperative treatment in lung surgery in order to reduce pulmonary complications after major lung surgery.     

The effect of epidural injection with morphine on the post-thoracotomy respiratory function

Patients undergoing thoracotomy experience severe post-operative pain and marked respiratory impairment, which causes pulmonary atelectasis and pneumonia. The effects of epidural injection on postoperative pain and respiratory function were examined in this study. The group undergoing epidural injection of 3 mg morphine (at the end of operation, 09oo and 21oo for the next 3 days) included 37 patients, while the control group involved 16. The number of required analgesics on the operating day and next three days were compared between the two groups. And postoperative vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), maximum mean flow (MMF) were compared with preoperative value. Patients receiving epidural morphine required significantly less analgesics throughout the postoperative periods (p less than 0.01). The morphine injected group had significantly better value in VC and FEV1 in the first two postoperative day (p less than 0.01), while significance were seen only in the first postoperative day in MMF (p less than 0.01). It seems that epidural morphine is highly effective in alleviating pain and improving respiratory function in post-thoracotomy patients. These effects help the expectoration of sputum especially in senile patients. As the side-effects of epidural morphine, urinary retention, nausea, vomiting and itching were seen in few patients. No serious side effect such as hypotension or ventilatory depression were seen.     

Changing pattern of the respiratory function associated with resected lung lobe

Respiratory function before and 2 months after lung lobectomy was analyzed associated with resected lobe. Post- or preoperative ratios of FEV1.0 or VC were compared among (1) predicted value by the number of subsegments using bronchofiberscopy, (2) predicted value by the lobar volume ratio using computed tomography (CT), and (3) actually measured value. Using subsegments method, post- or preoperative predicted VC ratios were 85 +/- 1% after right upper lobectomy (RU), 69 +/- 1% after right lower lobetomy (RL), 74 +/- 1% after left upper lobectomy (LU), and 75 +/- 1% after left lower lobectomy (LL). Using CT method, post- or preoperative predicted VC ratios were 80 +/- 2% after RU, 76 +/- 4% after RL, 74 +/- 2% after LU, and 79 +/- 3% after LL. Actually measured post- or preoperative FEV1.0 ratios were 82 +/- 3% after RU, 89 +/- 8% after RL, 73 +/- 3% after LU, and 86 +/- 5% after LL, and the VC ratios were 88 +/- 5% after RU, 79 +/- 3% after RL, 77 +/- 4% after LU, and 94 +/- 3% after LL. In the FEV1.0 analysis using both subsegments method and CT method, the predicted value was correlated with upper lobectomy but was overestimated in case of lower lobectomy. This phenomenon might be caused by the postoperative bronchial branching deformity after upper lobectomy. In the VC analysis using subsegments method, the predicted value was correlated with upper lobectomy but was overestimated in case of lower lobectomy. Meanwhile, in the VC analysis using CT method, the predicted value was correlated with RL or LU but was overestimated in case of RU or LL. This may due to the fact that RL and LU had large lobar volumes. In conclusion, postoperative predicted and actually measured values were different associated with resected lobe. In the FEV1.0 and VC analysis using subsegments method, the predicted value was strongly correlated with upper lobectomy but was overestimated (10%) in case of lower lobectomy.