e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Quality of life in patients undergoing lung resection: Evaluation of outcomes of follow-up using brief pain inventory
Seda Kahraman Aydın1, Ufuk Çağırıcı2, Sercan Aydın1, Ayşe Gül Ergönül2, Tevfik İlker Akçam2, Kutsal Turhan3, Ali Özdil2, Alpaslan Çakan2, Ömer Faruk Dadaş4
1Department of Chest Surgery, İzmir Democracy University Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
2Department of Chest Surgery, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
3Department of Chest Surgery, Acıbadem City Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
4Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
DOI : 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2025.27233
Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain and functional impairment using Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) in patients undergoing surgery for malignancy.

Methods: Between September 2020 and May 2022, a total of 94 patients (60 males, 34 females; mean age 59.5±12.2 years; range, 32 to 84 years) who underwent surgery for lung cancer were prospectively analyzed. The patients were evaluated using the BPI preoperatively and on postoperative Days 0, 3, and 30. The preoperative emotional impacts of patient variables and the influence of surgical management on postoperative pain were examined.

Results: Females experienced more preoperative emotional distress and insomnia (p=0.046, p=0.033, respectively). Patients diagnosed with cancer and had a history of surgery or thoracotomy demonstrated higher preoperative emotional distress (p=0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Postoperatively, patients who underwent thoracotomy reported greater pain with higher functional impairment compared to the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (p=0.002, p=0.018, respectively). Patients whose drains were completely removed by the postoperative Day 3 had reduced discomfort and improved ability to perform breathing exercise (p=0.005, p=0.045, respectively). Thoracotomy and the placement of double drains were identified as independent factors contributing to difficulties in performing breathing exercises and coughing on Day 30 (p<0.05 for all). There was no significant difference in the pain scores and affected functions between the patients with a thoracotomy incision size of <10 cm and ?10 cm (p=0.200, p=0.113, respectively).

Conclusion: Our study results indicate that a preference for minimal invasive procedures, the use of a single thoracic drain, and the prompt removal of the drain minimize pain and functional impairment. Women, patients with a preoperative diagnosis of malignancy requiring metastasectomy, and history of thoracotomy or surgery experience elevated l evels o f a nxiety. T herefore, c onsistent m onitoring a nd psychological support may be recommended to improve the quality of life for this patient population.

Keywords : Brief Pain Inventory, lung cancer, metastasectomy, pain, quality of life
Viewed : 90
Downloaded : 22