OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes and influence factors for early postoperative pulmonary function of thoracotomy.

METHODSPre- and early postoperative pulmonary function was detected in 64 consecutive cases with optimal thoracotomy. Pain assessment was conducted before pulmonary function test, and the chief complaints of patients were recorded after the procedure. The changing curves of pulmonary function were made and the differences associated with groups, surgical styles, pain assessment, epidural analgesia, chief complaint and preoperative conditions were analyzed using SPSS10.0 medical statistic software.

RESULTSPulmonary function was severely lowered to (39 +/- 14)% of the base line on the first day. It was rehabilitated gradually, and recovered to (62 +/- 10)% of the base line on the 8th day. Epidural analgesia could improve pain relaxation and pulmonary function in some degree. Single-factor analysis showed that postoperative pain, postoperative day and surgical style were the significant influence factors for early postoperative pulmonary function. Multiple-factor analysis showed that preoperative pulmonary function, age and postoperative pain were the main factors, while surgical style had only weak effect on it.

CONCLUSIONSEarly postoperative pulmonary function is severely impaired by thoracotomy. It rehabilitate gradually with time. Improvement of preoperative pulmonary function, reducing surgical procedure injuries, especially injury to respiratory muscle system, and enough postoperative pain relief are the most important means that will reduce pulmonary function impairment and consequently reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.