[Postoperative early complication of primary lung cancer]

We analyzed postoperative early complications of primary lung cancer in 321 cases during 1982 to 1993 in our hospital, and assessed the prevention and the treatment against these complications. In order of frequency the complications are, paroxymal supraventricular tachcarida (10.6%), atelectasis due to sputum (6.9%), pulmonary fistula for more than seven days (4.7%), hoarseness of voice due to recurrent nerve palsy (4.0%), chylothorax (2.5%), gastrointestinal tract complications (2.2%), reoperation due to massive bleeding (1.2%), wound dehiscence (0.9%), bronchial fistula (0.6%), rupture of ascending aorta (0.3%) and myocardial infarction (0.3%). The two cases of bronchial fistula after pneumonectomy, and one of myocardial infarction after lobectomy through the median approach died of early complications. The operative indication for primary lung cancer is extended to the patients with higher age and lower pulmonary function; so we should be careful for the pre and postoperative prevention and the rapid and appropriate treatment against these postoperative early complications.