Can Preoperative Peak Expiratory Flow Predict Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Lobectomy?

Abstract

Background and objective Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), especially postoperative pneumonia (POP), directly affect the rapid recovery of lung cancer patients after surgery. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) can reflect airway patency and cough efficiency. Moreover, cough impairment may lead to accumulation of pulmonary secretions which can increase the risk of PPCs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of preoperative PEF on PPCs in patients with lung cancer. Methods Retrospective research was conducted on 433 lung cancer patients who underwent lobectomy at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2014 to December 2015. The associations between preoperative PEF and PPCs were analyzed based on patients’ basic characteristics and clinical data in hospital. Results Preoperative PEF value in PPCs group (280.93±88.99) L/min was significantly lower than that in non-PPCs group (358.38±93.69) L/min (P320 L/min group (9.4%)(P<0.001). Conclusion Preoperative PEF and PPCs are correlated, and PEF may be used as a predictor of PPCs.

Keywords

• Peak expiratory flow
• Postoperative pulmonary complications
• Lung neoplasms
• Pulmonary surgical srocedures