Determination of operability in candidates who undergo lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma

In this prospective study the authors attempted to determine the effect of lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma on final pulmonary function in patients who had severe limitation of lung air flow preoperatively and were therefore likely to have severe, progressive pulmonary failure and in those who had acceptable pulmonary function preoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function tests were performed on 20 patients chosen to undergo various types of resection for bronchogenic carcinoma. Those who underwent pneumonectomy had changes in lung volume that were expected for a resection of that magnitude. Patients who underwent lesser resections had more variable postoperative lung volumes and flows. The patients whose preoperative pulmonary function was poorest had the least change postoperatively and even, in some cases, showed some improvement in function, yet they were the ones most likely to be denied surgery, because of their poor preoperative pulmonary function.