Risk factors associated with morbidity and operative mortality of pneumonectomy

Abstract

Objective: Identifying and evaluation of the predictors of outcome of pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Methods: 123 patients undergoing pneumonectomy from June 1984 to June 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The operative mortality was 7.3% (9/123). The most significant predictors of operative mortality were presence of coexisting medical conditions, respiratory tract infection, bronchopleural fistula, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema and renal failure. There were 76 postoperative complications presenting in 123 patients. The most significant predictors of postoperative morbidity were continued cigarette smoking up to the time of operation and fluid infusion of more than 3L in the first 24-hours. Conclusion: This study has identified preoperative and perioperative factors associated with operative mortality and morbidity after pneumonectomy.