[Evaluation of lung function as a prognostic index before and after surgical resection due to NSCLC].
BACKGROUND
Although there were several studies on survival, death and morbidity rates after lung resection, considering both limited and extended resections, lung exercise capacity has been quite seldom taken into account as an index for prognosis. The aim of this study compare the consequences of three kinds of lung resections (pneumonectomy, lobectomy and wedge resection), to test pre- and post-surgery exercise capacity for patients affected by NSCLC in order to obtain more detailed prognostic indices.


METHODS
All the patients were studied by means of thorough lung static function and hemogas analytical tests before and after surgical resection, from 15 days to 12 twelve months' time past surgery.


RESULTS
In fact, in relation to lung resection due to neoplasms, several studies pointed out that zone-limited resections show an obvious anatomical benefit in terms of parenchyma spair compared to lobectomy; however, it is underlined that the functional benefits of small resections don't really prevail over post-lobectomy anatomical advantages. Furthermore local relapses are more common after small resections rather than after lobectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither limited lung resection nor lobectomy alone, therefore, in accordance with nearly all the recent and still ongoing studies in this huge research field, has a significant effect on exercise capacity. Only pneumonectomy is associated with impaired exercise performance, and, nevertheless, quite below our expectations.
Pavia
R
R
Sezione di Chirurgia Toracica, Dipartimento Clinico Sperimentale di Medicina e Farmacologia, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.
Monaco
F
F
Mondello
B
B
Barresi
P
P
Barone
M
M
Familiari
D
D
Monaco
M
M
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen