Temporal course of gas exchange and mechanical compensation after right pneumonectomy in immature dogs.

To determine the temporal progression and magnitude of functional compensation in immature dogs raised to maturity after extensive lung resection, we performed right pneumonectomy (R-Pnx) or right thoracotomy without pneumonectomy (Sham) in matched foxhounds at 2 mo of age. At 4, 8, 20, 40, and 60 wk after surgery, static transpulmonary pressure-lung volume relationships were determined. Lung diffusing capacity, membrane diffusing capacity, pulmonary capillary blood volume, pulmonary blood flow, septal lung tissue volume, and lung volumes were measured simultaneously by a rebreathing technique. During maturation, total lung capacity, lung volume at a given distending pressure, and compliance were lower in the R-Pnx group than in the Sham group (P < 0.05). Pulmonary viscous resistance at maturity was elevated after R-Pnx. There were no significant differences in total lung diffusing capacity, membrane diffusing capacity, pulmonary capillary blood volume, pulmonary blood flow, and septal lung tissue volume between groups. Compensation of alveolar-capillary gas exchange was complete by 4-8 wk after R-Pnx, but compensation of mechanical properties remained incomplete throughout maturation. Relative magnitude of compensation after R-Pnx was greater in immature dogs than in adult dogs studied previously by similar techniques.