Left Upper Lobectomy for Lung Cancer as a Risk Factor for Cerebral Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There is limited evidence on the role of the type of lobectomy after primary lung cancer with postoperative cerebral infarction (CI). The purpose of this review was to evaluate the role of left upper lobectomy (LUL) in pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) and eventual CI.

A search was performed on MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to January 2021. Prospective and retrospective cohort studies investigating the association between types of lobectomies for primary lung cancer with PVT and/or CI were included. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the risk of bias. A random-effect model meta-analysis was utilized if significant heterogeneity was observed.

Twelve studies, including 5266 patients were included. The majority of studies were having a low risk of bias. LUL was associated with higher likelihood of CI (OR_fixed 6.27, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 3.12-12.56; p < 0.00001) and PVT (OR_fixed 13.46, 95% CI 5.97-30.33; p < 0.00001) as compared to other lobectomies. Sensitivity analysis showed an independent role of LUL without underlying PVT in CI (OR_fixed 2.44, 95% CI 1.25-4.74; p = 0.009). Male and diabetic patients were at a higher risk, while Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) was protective from CI.

The results of this review indicate that LUL after lung cancer is an independent risk factor for developing CI without underlying PVT. In addition, the risk of CI increases significantly when PVT develops after LUL. LUL is also a risk factor for PVT. A more frequent follow-up may be beneficial in lung cancer patients after LUL, especially in those with diabetes or undergoing adjuvant systemic therapy.