Recovery of pulmonary function after lung wedge resection

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary function following lung wedge resection is not fully understood. This study aimed to assess the influence of wedge resection upon postoperative pulmonary function.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated pulmonary function at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively in 29 patients who underwent lung wedge resection. The values of the pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were compared among the time points using a paired t-test.

Results: The vital capacity (VC) values before surgery and at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively were 2,994±793, 2,845±799, 2,941±801, and 2,964±839 mL, respectively. The VC decreased at 3 months postoperatively (P=0.002) and recovered by 6 and 12 months postoperatively (P=0.003 and 0.003, respectively). The VC values at 6 and 12 months postoperatively did not significantly differ from that before surgery (P=0.152 and 0.361, respectively). The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) values before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were 2,156±661, 2,034±660, 2,091±672 and 2,100±666 mL, respectively. The values decreased at 3 months postoperatively (P<0.001) and recovered; however, they remained lower than the preoperative value (P=0.036).

Conclusions: The postoperative VC decreased temporarily but recovered to near the preoperative level after 12 months. We concluded that the loss of VC following lung wedge resection is minimal. These findings are beneficial for planning surgery and explaining the procedure to patients who are undergoing lung wedge resection.

Keywords: Wedge resection; forced expiratory volume; respiratory function tests; vital capacity (VC).

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

2019 Journal of Thoracic Disease. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Chronological change in the vital capacity after lung wedge resection. *, indicates a significant difference. (A) The vital capacity (VC) decreased at 3 months compared to the preoperative value, and recovered at 6 and 12 months. (B,C) The recovery ratio and ΔVC were low at 3 months and gradually increased at 6 and 12 months, and reached a point where they did not significantly differ compared to the baseline.

Figure 2

Chronological change in the forced expiratory volume in one second after lung wedge resection. * indicates a significant difference. (A) The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decreased at 3 months, and recovered at 6 and 12 months. However, the FEV1 at 12 months remained lower compared to the preoperative value. (B,C) The recovery ratio and ΔFEV1 were low at 3 months and gradually increased at 6 and 12 months, but significantly lower compared to the baseline.