Pulmonary complications after surgical treatment of lung cancer in octogenarians.

ABSTRACT

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.