A significance of pulmonary function tests for comprehensive assessment of risk of postoperative respiratory complications after lobectomy or pneumonectomy

This study was done to analyze respiratory mechanics and lung diffusing capacity in patients waiting for lobectomy or pneumonectomy in order to predict postoperative risk of cardiorespiratory complications, to choose the surgical treatment strategy and the optimal anesthesiologic approach. Methods. We analyzed parameters of spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide in 30 patients (86.7% were males; mean age, 66.6 ± 10.3 years) before lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Results. Ventilation abnormalities were found in 73.3% of the patients (obstructive abnormalities in 56.7%; restrictive abnormalities in 3.3%, and mixed abnormalities in 13.3%). Lung diffusing capacity (transfer-factor) was reduced in 33.3% of patients; this was accompanied by ventilation defects in 90% of cases. Given the lung tissue volume proposed for resection the expected postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second and transfer-factor were calculated. Thereafter, the patients were included in a group of low, moderate or high risk of postoperative complications according to the estimates, and to the ratio of the actual residual volume and the total lung capacity. Conclusion. The results could be used to choose the surgical treatment strategy and the optimal anesthesiologic approach.

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