Changes in Simple Spirometric Parameters After Lobectomy for Bronchial 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±0.62lt and the mean postoperative fev1 at 1 and 6 months was 1.97 ± 0.59 l and 2.15±0.66 l respectively. the percentage losses for fev1 were 22.7% and 15.4% after 1 and 6 months respectively. an average percentage increase of 9.4% for fev1 was estimated at the time of 6 months in comparison with this of 1 month after the operation. the average preoperative forced vital capacity (fvc) was 3.17 ± 0.81 l and the mean postoperative fvc at 1 and 6 months after the operation was 2.50 ± 0.63 l and 2.72 ± 0.67 l respectively. the percentage losses for fvc were 21.1% and 14.2% after 1 and 6 months 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 in comparison with the respective values of 1 month after the operation, but did not reach the preoperative values in any patient.