[Management of Fluid and Nutrition after Lung Resection to Prevent Complications]

It is necessary to understand the biological response and characteristic points for the appropriate management in the fluid and nutrition after lung resection. The characteristic points in the management of lung resection are the decrease of pulmonary vascular bed and the existence of bronchial stump. Due to the decrease of pulmonary vascular bed, the pressures of pulmonary artery and pulmonary microvasculature tend to rise, which could cause pulmonary edema. Therefore, the amount of fluid infusion should be less compared to ordinal management in the management after lung resection, especially pneumonectomy. The amount of fluid infusion should also be adjusted referring to the vital signs, the amount of chest drainage and the findings of chest x-ray. Bronchial stump does not heal primarily, as bronchial mucosa of both side is just pulled together with suture or staple. Lymph node dissection around bronchus, which reduce the blood flow of bronchus, may further interfere the healing process. Therefore, appropriate nutritional support is necessary especially in the patients who are originally in poor nutritious status or can not take enough nutrition orally by themselves.