OBJECTIVETo summarize surgical treatment of lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary function.

METHODSFrom 1991 to 1999, 181 lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary function underwent operation. The correlation between the results of preoperative pulmonary functional tests and the postoperative cardiopulmonary complications was analyzed by Chi-square test (chi(2)).

RESULTSIn 181 patients, pneumonectomy was done in 43, lobectomy in 118, partial lung resection in 16 and exploration in 4. The postoperative complication and mortality rates of the resection group were 42.3% (75/177) and 7.9% (14/177). The cardiopulmonary complication rates were 25.6%, 48.3%, 31.3% in pneumonectomy, lobectomy and partial lung resection. The morbidity and mortality rates of 8 patients who received preoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were 75.0% and 37.5%. The morbidity and mortality rates of 12 patients who had had a previous history of thoracotomy were 66.7% and 33.3%. In the present series, the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 71.1%, 42.2% and 31.1%. The 5-year survival rates of patients with stage I, II and III lesions were 55.0%, 25.0% and 0.

CONCLUSIONPreoperative spirometry is an important evaluation test for lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary function. It should be evaluated in combination with other pulmonary function tests such as CO(2) diffusion and cardiopulmonary excise tests, etc whenever possible. Patients with a history of thoracotomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be carefully evaluated before operation to avoid high morbidity and mortality. Stage I and II lung cancer patients with poor pulmonary function can undergo operation if they have been well managed preoperatively and well taken care of with nursing care perioperatively.