title: A survey of pulmonary function abnormalities following thoracotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the incidence and type of pulmonary function abnormalities after thoracotomy in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children below 12 y of age who had undergone thoracotomy for any condition and have at least 2 y follow up were included in the study. Detailed assessment of the patients included history and general examination, clinical assessment of pulmonary function, bedside tests to assess pulmonary function and laboratory pulmonary function test using portable spirometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty two patients were included in the study. Twenty-seven were cases of esophageal atresia with trachea-esophageal fistula (EATEF), nine pulmonary metastasis from abdominal solid tumors, six mediastinal masses, three hydatid cyst, three eventration of diaphragm, two bronchiectasis, and one each of H-type TEF and congenital esophageal stenosis. The mean age at the time of evaluation was 6.3 y (range 2-18 y). While all the patients were clinically assessed, only 25 (48 %) were eligible for bedside tests and 23 (44 %) for spirometery. The incidences of abnormalities picked were: dyspnea during exercise 8/52 (15.4 %), dyspnea on exercise and on climbing stairs 1/52 (2 %), decreased breath holding time 2/25 (8 %), abnormal incentive spirometry 1/25 (4 %), mild restrictive pattern on pulmonary function test (PFT) 11/23 (47.8 %), moderate restrictive pattern on PFT 2/23 (8.7 %). None had an obstructive pattern on PFT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though the incidences of pulmonary function abnormalities were high, these were of mild grade. Close follow up of patients after thoracotomy would be needed for early pick up and appropriate management of these abnormalities to prevent long-term consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
authors.forename: Shasanka Shekhar
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Panda
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agarwala
authors.forename: Sushil Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kabra
authors.forename: Veereshwar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*