Characteristics and Risk Factors for Persistent Cough After Pulmonary Resection

Persistent cough after pulmonary resection may reduce quality of life for patients. However, there remains a lack of description of clinical characteristics and the risk factors for persistent cough after pulmonary resection. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of persistent cough after pulmonary resection and investigate independent risk factors for it.

This single-institution study retrospectively included 901 consecutive patients who had undergone thoracoscopic pulmonary resection between June 2019 and December 2020. The characteristics of persistent cough after pulmonary resection are described, and univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for persistent cough after pulmonary resection.

Persistent cough after pulmonary resection occurred in 190 (21.1%) of the patients. It was usually an irritating dry cough (75.3%) that appeared on postoperative day 7 (interquartile range [IQR], 6-9) and lasted for approximately 5 (IQR, 2-6) months. It was often induced by a pungent smell, cold air, deep inhalation, speaking, postural changes, pungent food, or emotional excitement. Multivariable analyses showed that resection of the right upper lobe (odds ratio [OR] 2.311, 95% CI 1.246-4.285) and mediastinal lymph node removal (OR 3.686, 95% CI 2.140-6.346) were independently associated with the risk of persistent cough after pulmonary resection.

Persistent cough after pulmonary resection is a common complication that should receive more attention. Mediastinal lymph node removal and resection of the right upper lobe may be independent risk factors for persistent cough after pulmonary resection.