Analysis of risk factors for concurrent pulmonary infection after operation for colon cancer

To investigate the risk factors for concurrent pulmonary infection after radical operation for colon cancer, providing a reference for the prevention and treatment of this condition.

A total of 486 patients subjected to radical operation for colon cancer in Shanghai Hudong Hospital from December 2014 to December 2017 composed the study group. Their clinicopathologic data and postoperative follow-up were reviewed, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative albumin (ALB), preoperative hemoglobin (Hb), hypertension (HBP), diabetes mellitus (DM), smoking history, preoperative pulmonary ventilation dysfunction, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion and surgical method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to investigate the risk factors influencing concurrent pulmonary infection after radical operation for colon cancer. The severity of pulmonary infection was assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification system, and the severity ≥ Grade II suggested that postoperative pulmonary infection (POPI) occurred.

Among 486 patients, 20 (4.12%) patients suffered from POPI, including 17 (3.50%) cases of Grade II infection, 2 (0.41%) cases of Grade IIIa infection and 1 (0.21%) case of Grade IVa infection. Univariate analysis showed that POPI was associated with age (≥75 years), gender (male), DM, smoking history, preoperative pulmonary function impairment and blood transfusion. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, preoperative pulmonary ventilation dysfunction, DM and blood transfusion were independent risk factors for POPI.

Age, preoperative respiratory function impairment, DM and blood transfusion are considered as independent risk factors for pulmonary infection after radical operation for colon cancer.