Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome after pulmonary resection.
BACKGROUND
In this study we investigate the frequency and mortality of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after pulmonary resection.


METHODS
Patients that underwent pulmonary resection at the Royal Brompton Hospital between 1991 and 1997 were included. The case notes of all patients developing postoperative complications were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
The overall combined frequency of ALI and ARDS was 3.9%. The frequency was higher in patients over 60 years of age, males and those undergoing resection for lung cancer. ALI/ARDS caused 72.5% of the total mortality after resection in this series.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience ALI and ARDS are major causes of mortality after lung resection.
Kutlu
C A
CA
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, England. cakutlu@turk.net
Williams
E A
EA
Evans
T W
TW
Pastorino
U
U
Goldstraw
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors