[General anesthesia for lung resection in 7 patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 second of less than 1l]

Preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 1 l is a risk factor for anesthesia. We report perioperative management and prognosis of 7 patients with restricted lung function who underwent lung resection under general anesthesia. We assessed the patients preoperatively from the point of view of heart-lung functions such as predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second greater than 0.8 l, an ability of walking on the level for more than 5 minutes at his own speed without a rest, presence of hypercapnia, and degree of pulmonary hypertension. One patient was extubated on the first postoperative day because of an asthmatic attack, whereas the remaining 6 patients were extubated in the operating room. Although 1 patient developed postoperative complications of lung air leakage and pneumonia, he recovered with conservative therapy. All patients were discharged without any sequela. We were able to manage high-risk patients with limited lung functions successfully during the perioperative period without serious complications.