Background: This study aims to investigate if predicted postoperative lung function values are similar to actual postoperative values in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and which of the values are most useful in predicting complications. Also, we aimed to show whether there is a difference in outcomes of patients with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who undergo lung resection surgery on the basis of postoperative lung function values.

Methods: Out of 151 lung cancer patients who underwent lung resection between January 2010 and June 2011, 23 male patients (mean age 62.0±6.9 years) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were included in the study group, while 24 patients (22 males, 2 females; mean age 55.9±9.7 years) without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were randomly selected as the control group. Fourteen of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease underwent a lobectomy and nine underwent a pneumonectomy. Lobectomies were performed on 18 patients without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while the other six patients underwent pneumonectomies. The predicted postoperative lung functions of the patients were measured and evaluated postoperatively on the first, fifth, and 10th days and in the first, third, and sixth months. Features of the surgical process, complications, mortality, and related data were recorded.

Results: On the fifth postoperative day, actual lung capacity values were lower than the baseline and predicted postoperative values. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative lung function in patients with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The occurrence of pneumonia was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and low diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide(p=0.007).

Conclusion: Our study showed that level of <45% postoperative diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide may increase complications. Through a meticulous evaluation, lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be operated with similar morbidity rates as in those without this condition.

Keywords : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; pulmonary resection; akciğer kanseri