A Comparison of Postoperative Exercise Tolerance between Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Thoracotomy

Abstract

[Purpose] Changes in exercise tolerance in an early stage after pneumonectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy were compared. [Participants and Methods] A total of 98 patients (age: 70.0 ± 7.9, male: 67, female: 31), who had undergone pneumonectomy, were divided into 2 groups: VATS (79) and thoracotomy (19). Their 6-minute-walk distance (6MWD) were measured before and after surgery, and the 6MWD recovery rate was calculated by dividing the postoperative value by the preoperative one in each case. The 6MWD recovery rate was compared between the 2 groups. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was performed with the 6MWD recovery rate as a dependent variable. Postoperative evaluation was conducted at 6.2 ± 3.2 days after surgery. [Results] The 6MWD recovery rate was significantly lower in the thoracotomy than VATS group, revealing that the rate significantly varies according to the surgical procedure. [Conclusion] Exercise tolerance in an early stage after pneumonectomy may be influenced by surgical procedures, as it takes longer for recovery after thoracotomy compared with VATS.