Pulmonary complications following lung resection: a comprehensive analysis of incidence and possible risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence and clinical implications of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after lung resection, and to identify possible associated risk factors.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
An 885-bed teaching hospital.


METHODS
We reviewed all patients undergoing lung resection during a 3-year period. The following information was recorded: preoperative assessment (including pulmonary function tests), clinical parameters, and intraoperative and postoperative events. Pulmonary complications were noted according to a precise definition. The risk of PPCs associated with selected factors was evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).


RESULTS
Two hundred sixty-six patients were studied (87 after pneumonectomy, 142 after lobectomy, and 37 after wedge resection). Sixty-eight patients (25%) experienced PPCs, and 20 patients (7.5%) died during the 30 days following the surgical procedure. An American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score > or= 3 (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.07 to 4.16; p < 0.02), an operating time > 80 min (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.97; p < 0.02), and the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation > 48 min (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.02 to 3.75; p < 0.04) were independent factors associated with the development of PPCs, which was, in turn, associated with an increased mortality rate and the length of ICU or surgical ward stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm the relevance of the ASA score in a selected population and stress the importance of the length of the surgical procedure and the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation in the development of PPCs. In addition, preoperative pulmonary function tests do not appear to contribute to the identification of high-risk patients.
Stéphan
F
F
Service d'Anesthésie-Réanimation chirurgicale, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France. francois.stephan@hmn.ap-hop-paris.fr
Boucheseiche
S
S
Hollande
J
J
Flahault
A
A
Cheffi
A
A
Bazelly
B
B
Bonnet
F
F
D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors