Predictive postoperative pulmonary function calculated by newly generated prediction equation of VC and FEV_1.0 for Japanese

Abstract

Normal values for the vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV_1.0) have been taken from regression equations of Baldwin and Berglund in Japan. On the other hand, newly generated equations of VC and FEV_1.0 for Japanese were developed by the Japanese Respiratory Society in 2001. In this study, we compared the equations of Baldwin and Berglund with the new equations for Japanese for evaluation of the respiratory function in practical surgical patients. The percent predicted VC and FEV_1.0 calculated with the new equations for Japanese were significantly lower than those estimated with the equation of Baldwin and Berglund. The predicted postoperative VC and FEV_1.0 also showed the same results. Considering the indication of lung resection, the surgeon should pay sufficient attention to the equation used and evaluate the indications based on the respiratory function calculated employing the new equations for Japanese.