Postoperative course after pulmonary resection for lung cancer with impaired pulmonary function (FEV_1.0 ≤1.5 _l)

Abstract

Sixty five patients with impaired pulmonary function (FEV_1.0≤ 1.5 _l) received pulmonary resection for lung cancer in our hospital during the past 13 years (1977 to 1990). A retrospective review revealed that FEV_1.0 is one of the important factors in evaluating postoperative course.
Patients with lower FEV_1.0 were more likely to have pulmonary complications, to require tracheostomy and artificial respiration, and to stay in the ICU longer, but most of the patients recovered with intensive respiratory care. FEV_1.0 had no influence on the mortality rate.
Three of 4 patients with markedly impaired pulmonary function (FEV_1.0≤ 0.7 _l) could be discharged from the hospital after lung resection. One of the patients, who was a wet case, died from pulmonary complications.
Even patients with impaired pulmonary function can receive pulmonary resection for lung cancer, if they are not wet cases, and can recover with intensive respiratory care.