BACKGROUNDPulmonectomy is the first priority in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The postoperative complication is the main factor which affects the efficacy of operation. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidences of postoperative complications in NSCLC patients and the value of modified cardiopulmonary risk index (CPRI) in predicting the short-term complication.

METHODSPostoperative complications were analyzed in patients who underwent pulmonectomy in Tianjin Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2004 to November 2004, and the value of modified Epstein CPRI in predicting the risk of pulmonectomy was estimated.

RESULTSA total of 256 consecutive patients were studied. Postoperative cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 86 patients (33.6%), hemathorax in 6 patients (2.3%) and other complications in 11 patients (4.3%). Postoperative cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 61 of the 67 patients with CPRI≥4, which was significantly more frequent than that in those with CPRI < 4 (P < 0.05). Using CPRI≥4 as a threshold for predicting postoperative complication, the sensitivity, specificity and accu- racy were 70.9%, 96.5% and 87.9% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe main early postoperative complications are cardiopulmonary complications. CPRI shows significant importance in predicting the early postoperative prognosis for patients with NSCLC.