Changes in Simple Spirometric Parameters After Lobectomy forBronchial Carcinoma

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe the postoperative changes in lung function after pure open lobectomy for lung carcinoma.Methods: 30 patients (mean age 64±7 years old, 16 men and 14 women) underwent a left or right lobectomy. They underwent spirometric pulmonary tests preoperatively, and at 1 and 6 months after the operation.Results: The average preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 2.55±0.62 lt and the mean postoperative FEV1 at 1 and 6 months was 1.97±0.59 lt and 2.15±0.66 lt respectively.The percentage losses for FEV1 were 22.7% and 15.4% after 1 and 6 months respectively. Anaverage percentage increase of 9.4% for FEV1 was estimated at the time of 6 months in comparisonwith this of 1 month after the operation. The average preoperative forced vital capacity (FVC) was3.17±0.81lt and the mean postoperative FVC at 1 and 6 months after the operation was 2.50±0.63 lt and 2.72±0.67 lt respectively. The percentage losses for FVC were 21.1% and 14.2% after 1 and 6months respectively. An average percentage increase of 8.7% was observed at the time period of 6 months in comparison with this of 1 month after the operation.Conclusion: Although, we observed a significant decrease in FEV1 and FVC after the operation,all patients were in excellent clinical status. FEV1 and FVC of 6 months were increased incomparison with the respective values of 1 month after the operation, but did not reach the preoperative values in any patient.