[Evolution of the early respiratory function after lung resection for cancer]

The assessment of the postoperative risk in lung resection is a major challenge for pneumologists and thoracic surgeons. Restrictive syndromes have been observed along with a disproportionate decrease of FEV1 in lobectomies. The purpose of the present study is to describe the early response of pulmonary function after thoracotomy and resection for lung cancer. In a prospective study, the authors included 31 patients (19 lobectomy patients: mean age 59+/-10 years and 12 pneumonectomy patients: mean age 56+/-9 years) without postoperative complications. Pulmonary function tests were performed before and after surgery on Days 1, 5 (D5), 10 and within the fourth month. The main aspect of the ventilation was an unexpected similarity in subgroups during the early perioperative period up to D5. When compared with the preoperative value, about a 50% decrease in the vital capacity and total lung capacity was observed. In both subgroups about a 40% decrease was noted in the inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume. In the lobectomy sub-group, the change in the forced expiratory volume in one second over forced vital capacity (FEV/FVC) ratio was found to be higher than predicted (52+/-16% at D5 versus 67+/-14% predicted). However, the FEV/FVC ratio did not change, attesting to major restrictive ventilation. Partial recovery of the FEV was dependant on the mobile volume and especially the inspiratory volume. These findings should have implications in patient management.