Pulmonary complications after surgical treatment of lung cancer in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the risks associated with pulmonary resection for primary non-small cell lung cancer in octogenarians to help better management in these patients.

METHODS

We reviewed the outcome in our 35 patients aged 80 years and older who underwent pulmonary resection between 1981 and 1998.

RESULTS

The 5-year survival rate was 39.8%. The operative mortality rate was 0% and the morbidity 60%. There were ten major pulmonary complications, including respiratory insufficiency following bacterial pneumonia and sputum retention. Preoperative arterial pO(2) was significantly lower, A-aDO(2) was significantly higher, and operation time were significantly longer in patients with pulmonary complications after surgical treatment than in patients without complications (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment was not contraindicated for octogenarians with lung cancer. However, a relatively preoperative low arterial pO(2), high A-aDO(2), and long operation time may be risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications in such patients. Surgeons must assess the preoperative data prudently to determine appropriate surgical strategy.