An audit of lobectomy for pulmonary disease at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar

The present study was designed to provide data on the role of elective open lobectomies in the treatment of benign and malignant pulmonary diseases in our setting.

An audit of patients' records over a two-year period was performed to collect relevant data at the Cardio Thoracic Unit of the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar Pakistan.

A total of 55 lobectomies were performed from January 1999 to December 2000, including 34 males and 21 females. The mean age of patients was 31.23 +/- 14.95 years, with only 7 (12.7%) cases above 50 years of age. Benign pulmonary conditions, particularly chronic lung infections were the major indication for lobectomies (50/55, 90.9%), while lung cancers accounted for only 5/55 (9.1%) of lobectomies. Bronchiectasis was the leading indication with 28 (50.9%) lobectomy cases. Most patients (37/55, 67.3%) had uneventful postoperative recovery, while 18/55 (32.7%) developed some sort of complication. The most common postoperative complication was infection (wound infection and empyema) accounting for 8 patients (14.6%), followed by air leak (5/55, 9.1%). Mortality was low, with only 2 deaths (3.6%).

Elective open lobectomy is a safe procedure in our setting with significant benefits for patients and acceptable morbidity and mortality.