Isokinetic muscle strength after thoracotomy: standard vs. muscle-sparing posterolateral thoracotomy.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to compare the effects of conventional posterolateral thoracotomy and muscle-sparing posterolateral thoracotomy on pulmonary and muscle strength.


METHODS
From January 2003 to December 2004, 50 randomized patients with a diagnosis of primary lung cancer underwent pulmonary resection. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=25) underwent conventional posterolateral thoracotomy, while Group II (n=25) had muscle-sparing thoracotomy. The groups were compared in terms of shoulder abduction/adduction isokinetic muscle strength and respiratory muscle strength.


RESULTS
A comparison of maximal expiratory pressure and maximal inspiratory pressure preoperatively and postoperatively and of maximal expiratory pressure and maximal inspiratory pressure preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
For the preservation of muscle strength, especially in patients whose jobs involved manual work, muscle-sparing posterolateral thoracotomy should be the first choice rather than conventional thoracotomy. Moreover, if necessary, the latissimus dorsi muscle can be used more extensively as a flap after muscle-sparing posterolateral thoracotomy procedures.
Ziyade
S
S
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Universty Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey.
Baskent
A
A
Tanju
S
S
Toker
A
A
Dilege
S
S
D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D045853:Exhalation; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011312:Pressure; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D019415:Torque; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey