Lung volumes following resection of pulmonary metastases in paediatric patients--a retrospective study.

Pulmonary function was evaluated before and after 15 operations for resection of pulmonary metastases from osteogenic sarcoma. In the whole study group (ten patients, aged 13-18 years) preoperative vital capacity (VC) ranged from 62% to 122% (mean 83%) of predicted normal values for height. The operations were performed via median sternotomy. One-28 metastases were removed per session. Six months after the operations VC averaged nearly 95% of the preoperative values. Signs of bronchial obstruction or persistent pulmonary hyperinflation were only present in one patient with repeated operations. We conclude that resection of pulmonary metastases with limited loss of parenchyma leads to an almost complete recovery of preoperative pulmonary function parameters.