Diagnosis, treatment and medical assessment of thoracic diseases in 28 flying personnel

Abstract

Objective To analyze the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic disease in flying personnel,and to explore the medical assessment.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 28 flying personnel's clinical data that were diagnosed as thoracic disease in the last 20 years.Diagnosis,treatment and medical assessment were reviewed.All data were classified according to different disease type,with or without clinical symptoms,medical assessment and different aircraft types.Results In 28 flying personnel,50 ％ of them had no clinical symptoms of thoracic diseases but were diagnosed during health checkup by chest X-ray.No significant correlation was found between clinical symptoms and nature of disease or medical assessment.Nine flying personnel were diagnosed as malignant disease,among which lung cancer was most common,while congenital disease,infectious disease and primary pneumothorax were common in non-malignant diseases flying personnel.About 60.7 ％ flying personnel could return to flight after proper treatment.Follow-up visit showed that all qualified flying personnel flying well.Conclusions The rate of thoracic disease among flying personnel is relatively low.Annual checkup,especially chest X-ray examination plays an important role in early diagnosis.Active treatment of early lung cancer may provide chance for the flying personnel with fine lung function to fly again.Minimal invasive treatment is in favor of flying personnel returning to flight.More attention should be paid to the recurrence,when facing the medical assessment of spontaneous pneumothorax and lung bullae.Also close attention should be paid to solitary pulmonary nodule. Key words: Thoracic surgery; Thoracic diseases; Eligibility determination