Bronchopleural fistula after lung cancer surgery. Multivariate analysis of risk factors.
BACKGROUND
To elucidate retrospectively the risk factors for bronchopleural fistulae after lung cancer surgery.


METHODS
The subjects were 1,177 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery between 1983 and 1997. Twenty-two clinical factors were examined by logistic analysis.


RESULTS
Bronchopleural fistulae were observed in 35 patients (32 males, 3 females) with a mean age of 64 years. Eighteen (51%) of 35 patients died of BPF-related complications. The significant risk factors obtained by univariate analysis were male gender, heavy smoking, current smoking, low level of %FVC, metastases to lymph nodes, squamous cell carcinoma, increased WBC, decreased albumin, advanced postsurgical stage, sleeve lobectomy, and resection of the right lower lobe or middle and lower lobe. The significant risk factors noted by multivariate analysis were heavy smoking (30 or more pack/years), current rather than past smoking, metastases to lymph nodes, decreased albumin (3.5 mg/dl or less), and resection of the right lower lobe or middle and lower lobe.


CONCLUSIONS
The above risk factors must be taken into account before surgical techniques followed by adequate perioperative management are selected.
Suzuki
M
M
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan.
Otsuji
M
M
Baba
M
M
Saitoh
Y
Y
Iizasa
T
T
Shibuya
K
K
Sekine
Y
Y
Yoshida
S
S
Fujisawa
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D012709:Serum Albumin