title: Postoperative pulmonary changes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary function tests on the day after open upper abdominal surgery and cholecystectomy show decreases of 40% to 60% compared with preoperative determinations. In this prospective, study, we evaluated the pulmonary function during and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative spirometry, arterial blood gas determinations and chast radiographs to quantitate the magnitude of postoperative pulmonary changes after LC. Spirometry and chast radiographs were made before and 24 h after operation. Blood gas analye were performed preoperative, and 24 h after operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV: mean +/- SD values; preoperative: 3.12 +/- 0.78; postoperative: 2.33 +/- 0.80; P < 0.05), forced vital capacity (FVC; preoperative: 3.58 +/- 0.95; postoperative: 2.93 +/- 1.05; P < 0.05), peak expiratory flow (PEF; preoperative: 5.59 +/- 1.97; postoperative: 4.27 +/- 1.60; P < 0.05) and the midexpiratory phase of forced expiratory flow (FEF25-75; preoperative: 1.98 +/- 0.93; postoperative: 1.60 +/- 0.73; P < 0.05), were reduced 20-25% on average compared with preoperative values. Clinically important changes in arterial blodd gas values did not occur. Of 30 postoperative chest films, 9 showed the development of microatetelctasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved pulmonary function after laparoscopic cholecystectomy may account for the observed reduced rate of pulmonary complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laparoscopic Surgery, University Clinical Center, Faculty of Medicine of University of Tuzla.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasukić
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mesić
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D013147:Spirometry