Post-operative complications of lung resection in obese patients

Abstract

Nineteen obese patients who underwent lung resection were evaluated for pre-operative complications, lung function, operative procedures and post-operative complications. The results were compared with those of 27 control patients whose obesity index was within 100 ± 2.
There were no differences in pre-operative complications between the groups. FVC and FRC were significantly lower in the obese group than in the control group (p<0.05; p<0.01). There were no differences in operative procedures between the control group and the obese group. Chest abnormalities and atelectasis occurred more frequently after operation in the obese group than in the control group (p<0.05). Nine patients (36.8%) of the obese group and 5 patients (18.5%) of the control group required suction of their sputum by bronchoscopy after lung resection. Many kinds of bacteria were grown from the sputum after surgery, but many from obese patients with post-operative complications were normal flora of the upper respiratory tract.
Post-operative complications frequently occurred in obese patients after lung resection, presumably because of weakened expectoration due to reduced FRC and ERV secondary to obesity and the post-operative supine position. It was concluded that to prevent post-operative complications after lung resection in obese patients it is important to avoid prolonged bed rest.