Functional evaluations for pulmonary resection for lung cancer in octogenarians. Investigation from postoperative complications.

T. Tanita, Y. Hoshikawa, T. Tabata, M. Noda, M. Handa, H. Kubo, M. Chida, S. Suzuki, S. Ono, S. Fujimura

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We have reviewed the records of our twenty-four patients aged 80 years or older who underwent lung resections for bronchogenic carcinoma between 1983 and 1997 in our department. Eighteen patients were male and six were female. Adenocarcinoma was the histology in more than half of the cases (13 patients), along with 8 squamous cell carcinoma, 2 large cell carcinoma, and one small cell lung carcinoma. More than single lobectomy was performed in each patient. Unilateral pulmonary occlusion tests were employed in patients with impairment in pulmonary functions. Every patient, who underwent the unilateral pulmonary occlusion test, was certified that the total pulmonary vascular resistance index during unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test was less than 700 dyne.sec.cm-5.m2. Postoperative cardiovascular complications, such as paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, premature atrial contraction, premature ventricular contraction or atrial fibrillation, were seen in 10 patients. Postoperative respiratory complications, namely, sputa retention, retained secretions or atelectasis, were seen in 7 patients. The extent of dissection of mediastinal lymph node was not correlated to the postoperative pulmonary complications. However, the incidence of arrhythmias in the patients who received R2 mediastinal lymphnode dissection was much higher than in those who received R1 or R0 dissection. Complete blood counts and serum biochemical analysis performed at about three weeks after operations revealed leukocytosis and increases in levels of serum transaminase. These phenomena in leukocytosis and increases in the levels of serum transaminase in these patients were similar to those in younger patients. There was no operative death. We conclude that some patients over 80 years are candidates for lung resection after careful preoperative cardiopulmonary evaluation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)253-261
Number of pages9
JournalThe Japanese journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official publication of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery = Nihon Kyōbu Geka Gakkai zasshi
Volume47
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06-1999
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Functional evaluations for pulmonary resection for lung cancer in octogenarians. Investigation from postoperative complications.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this