[The effect of lung diminishing interventions on immediate postoperative lung function and their modification by...

The influence of different lung resection methods on pulmonary function was studied in 34 patients suffering from bronchial carcinoma. Daily measurements from the 1st to 10th postoperative day reveal the greatest losses of function after right upper lobectomy. Lower lobectomies or left upper lobectomy resulted in a less extensive loss of function. Recovery of function mainly occurs in the first 4 days after operation. Centrally acting analgetics are followed by a loss in pulmonary function whereas locally applied analgetics improve early postoperative function.