Preoperative evaluation for lung resection in patients with bronchiectasis: should we rely on standard lung function evaluation?

OBJECTIVES: The scant data about non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, including tuberculosis sequelae and impairment of lung function, can bias the preoperative physiological assessment. Our goal was to evaluate the changes in lung function and exercise capacity following pulmonary resection in these patients; we also looked for outcome predictors. METHODS: We performed a non-randomized prospective study evaluating lung function changes in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treated with pulmonary resection. Patients performed lung function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests preoperatively and 3 and 9 months after the operation. Demographic data, comorbidities, surgical data and complications were collected. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluated for lung function. After resection, the patients had slightly lower values for spirometry: forced expiratory volume in 1 s preoperatively: 2.211 +/- 0.8; at 3 months: 1.91 +/- 0.8 and at 9 months: 2.01 +/- 0.8, but the relationship between the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and the forced vital capacity remained. The gas diffusion measured by diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide did not change: preoperative value: 23.2 ml/min/mmHg +/- 7.4; at 3 months: 21.5 ml/min/mmHg +/- 5.6; and at 9 months: 21.7 ml/min/ mmHg +/- 8.2. The performance of general exercise did not change; peak oxygen consumption preoperatively was 20.9 ml/kg/min +/- 7.4; at 3 months: 19.3 ml/kg/min +/- 6.4; and at 9 months: 20.2 ml/kg/min +/- 8.0. Forty-six patients were included for analysis of complications. We had 13 complications with 2 deaths. To test the capacity of the predicted postoperative (PPO) values to forecast complications, we performed several multivariate and univariate analyses; none of them was a significant predictor of complications. When we analysed other variables, only bronchoalveolar lavage with positive culture was significant for postoperative complications (P = 0.0023). Patients who had a pneumonectomy had a longer stay in the intensive care unit (P = 0.0348). CONCLUSIONS: The calculated PPO forced expiratory volume in 1 s had an excellent correlation with the measurements at 3 and 9 months; but the calculated PPO capacity for carbon monoxide and the PPO peak oxygen consumption slightly underestimated the 3 and 9-month values. However, none of them was a predictor for complications. Better tools to predict postoperative complications for patients with bronchiectasis who are candidates for lung resection are needed.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the changes in lung function and exercise capacity following pulmonary resection in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The calculated postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s had an excellent correlation with measurements at 3 and 9 months, while other predictors slightly underestimated the values at these time points and were not significant for complications. Better tools are needed to predict postoperative complications in these patients.