Bilateral Shoulder Dysfunction Related to the Lung Resection Area After Thoracotomy

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Orthopedics
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Shoulder function is crucial for post-operative recovery after thoracic procedures.
• Limited data exists on the specific impact of different pulmonary resection types on shoulder mobility and pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate shoulder range of motion, pain, and disability following various pulmonary surgical procedures.
• To compare functional outcomes based on the extent of lung resection.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, cross-sectional study involving 38 patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung surgery.
• Assessment of shoulder range of motion, pain intensity, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) preoperatively and on postoperative days 1 and 2.
• Subgroup analysis based on resection type: biopsy/nodulectomy, segmentectomy, and lobectomy.

Main Results:

• Significant decrease in ipsilateral shoulder flexion and abduction, and increased SPADI scores from pre- to postoperative day 1 (P < 0.05).
• Lobectomy subgroup showed greater loss of ipsilateral shoulder flexion and abduction.
• Lung segmentectomy and lobectomy subgroups exhibited decreased contralateral shoulder abduction (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Pulmonary surgery leads to bilateral shoulder range of motion impairment, predominantly affecting the ipsilateral shoulder.
• The extent of lung resection correlates with the severity of shoulder dysfunction, with lobectomy causing more significant limitations.