title: [Pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery in smokers and non-smokers. A prospective study of 55 cases].
abstract: A prospective study was carried out between 1987 and 1989 at the Pneumological Department of the IRCCS-Policlinico S. Matteo in Pavia (Italy) to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in smokers and non-smokers undergoing thoracic surgery for various diseases. Non-smokers were defined as those who had never smoked tobacco, while ex-smokers who had given up for over years were included in the "low consumption" group (less than 10 cigarettes/day). Out of a total of 55 cases, 75% were smokers. Complications developed in 20/55 cases (36.4%), whereas they were observed in 60% of the smokers' group. Major atelectasis developed in 8/20 (40%): 5 smokers and 3 non-smokers. Pulmonary complications were significantly higher among heavy smokers (greater than 10 cigarettes/day) than among non-smokers (p less than 0.001). The incidence of pulmonary complications in this study was thought to be satisfactory, although it could probably be further improved, given that daily postoperative chest X-rays and physical and/or pharmacological pre- and postoperative prophylaxis--in addition to continuous clinical monitoring--were performed. This strategy enabled complications to be detected early and controlled.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Pneumologia, IRCCS-Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ratta
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pilliteri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery; D013997:Time Factors
vernacular_title: Complicanze polmonari dopo interventi di chirurgia toracica in fumatori e non fumatori. Studio prospettivo su 55 casi.