[Can Preoperative Peak Expiratory Flow Predict Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Lobectomy?]

Incidence and risk factors of pulmonary complications after lung cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are associated with high mortality rates after lung cancer surgery. Although some studies have discussed the different risk factors for PPCs, the relationship between these factors and their impact on PPCs remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to systematically summarize the incidence and determine the risk factors for PPCs. We conducted a systematic search of five English and four Chinese databases from their inception to April 1, 2023. A total of 34 articles (8 cohort studies and 26 case-control studies) (n = 31696, 5833 with PPCs) were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of PPC. The secondary outcome was the odds ratio (OR) of PPCs based on the identified risk factors calculated by RevMan 5.4. A narrative descriptive summary of the study results was presented when pooling the results or conducting a meta-analysis was not possible. The pooled incidence of PPCs was 18.4 %. This meta-analysis demonstrated that TNM staging (OR 4.29, 95 % CI 2.59-7.13), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.47, 95 % CI 1.80-3.40), smoking history (OR 2.37, 95 % CI 1.33-4.21), poor compliance with respiratory rehabilitation (OR 1.64, 95 % CI 1.17-2.30), male sex (OR 1.62, 95 % CI 1.28-2.04), diabetes (OR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.07-2.27), intraoperative bleeding volume (OR 1.44, 95 % CI 1.02-2.04), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score (ECOG) > 1 (OR 1.37, 95 % CI 1.04-1.80), history of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (OR 1.32, 95 % CI 1.03-1.70), older age (OR 1.18, 95 % CI 1.11-1.24), and duration of surgery (OR 1.07, 95 % CI 1.04-1.10) were significantly associated with a higher risk of PPCs. In contrast, the peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) (OR 0.99, 95 % CI 0.98-0.99) was a protective factor. Clinicians should implement targeted and effective interventions to prevent the occurrence of PPCs.

Interest of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire in predicting postoperatives complications after lung resection: LCQ-SURGE

Background

Postoperative complications may occur after major lung surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study was to assess the relevance of preoperative Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) to predict postoperative complications after major lung resection for any indication.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in the Thoracic Surgery Department of Rouen University Hospital from November 21st, 2022, to June 2nd, 2023. Patients aged ≥18 years who underwent major lung resection for any indications and filled an LCQ self-questionnaire were included.

Results

Seventy-one patients were eligible for our study. One patient was lost to follow-up upon hospital discharge. Nineteen (27.1%) postoperative complications of grade ≥2 according to the Clavien-Dindo classification were observed. The mean LCQ total score was 18.11±2.56. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the LCQ result to predict postoperative complications of grade ≥2 within 30 days following the surgical intervention was 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45, 0.75].

Conclusions

This study failed to demonstrate the relevance of a preoperative LCQ to predict postoperative complications after major lung surgery. However, the statistical precision of this study was insufficient to show a moderate predictive performance. Further studies conducted in larger populations are needed.

[Study on the Benefit of Postoperative Exercise Rehabilitation in Patients with Lung Cancer Complicated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease]

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) affects 45%-63% of lung cancer patients worldwide. Lung cancer patients complicated with COPD have decreased cardiopulmonary function and increased perioperative risk, and their postoperative exercise endurance and lung function are significantly lower than those with conventional lung cancer. Previous studies have shown that postoperative exercise training can improve the exercise endurance of unselected lung cancer patients, but it is unclear whether lung cancer patients with COPD can also benefit from postoperative exercise training. This study intends to explore the effects of postoperative exercise training on exercise endurance, daily activity and lung function of lung cancer patients with COPD.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) complicated with COPD who underwent pneumonectomy in the lung cancer center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from August 5, 2020 to August 25, 2021 were prospectively analyzed. They were randomly divided into exercise group and control group; The patients in the two groups received routine postoperative rehabilitation in the first week after operation, and the control group was given routine nursing from the second week. On this basis, the exercise group received postoperative exercise rehabilitation training for two weeks. Baseline evaluation was performed 3 days before operation and endpoint evaluation was performed 3 weeks after operation.

RESULTS

The exercise endurance, daily activity and pulmonary function test results of the two groups decreased from baseline to the end point. However, after the operation and intervention program, the maximum oxygen consumption of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test and the walking distance of 6-Minute Walking Test in the exercise group were significantly better than those in the control group [(13.09±1.46) mL/kg/min vs (11.89±1.38) mL/kg/min, P=0.033; (297±46) m vs (243±43) m, P=0.041]. The average number of we-chat steps in the exercise group was also significantly better than that in the control group (4,381±397 vs 3,478±342, P=0.035). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in the exercise group were better than those in the control group, but the difference did not reach a statistically significant level [(1.76±0.19) L vs (1.60±0.28) L, P=0.084; (1.01±0.17) L vs (0.96±0.21) L, P=0.467].

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative exercise rehabilitation training can improve exercise endurance and daily activity ability of patients with lung cancer complicated with COPD and promote postoperative rehabilitation.

Value of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Evaluating Cough Ability in Patients Undergoing Lung Surgery

Introduction

Postoperative ineffective cough is easy to occur after thoracic surgery, and it is also a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

Objectives

To explore the value of peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) in evaluating cough ability in patients undergoing lung surgery and evaluate the effectiveness of chest wall compression during the expiratory phase by PEF.

Methods

From September 2020 to May 2021, the researchers collected the data of patients who underwent lung surgery. Eventually, 153 patients who met the criteria were included, 102 cases were included in the effective cough group and 51 cases were included in the ineffective cough group. The receiver working curve (ROC curve) was used to analyze whether PEF could evaluate cough ability. At the same time, the researchers collected the pulmonary function data of the first 30 patients of the ineffective cough group while compressing the chest wall during the expiratory phase to evaluate the effectiveness of chest wall compression.

Results

The area under the curve (AUC) of postoperative PEF to evaluate the postoperative cough ability was 0.955 (95% CI: 0.927–0.983, P < 0.001). The values of PEF (127.17 ± 34.72 L/min vs. 100.70 ± 29.98 L/min, P < 0.001, 95% CI: 18.34–34.59) and FEV₁ (0.72 (0.68–0.97) L vs. 0.64 (0.56–0.82) L, P < 0.001) measured while compressing the chest wall were higher than those without compression.

Conclusions

PEF can be used as a quantitative indicator of cough ability. Chest wall compression could improve cough ability for patients who have ineffective cough.

[Can Perioperative Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure Practice Enhance Recovery in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Thorascopic Lobectomy?]

背景与目的

振动正压呼气（oscillatory positive expiratory pressure, OPEP）训练是一种通过正压呼气装置（acapella）进行的呼吸训练。OPEP在慢性阻塞性肺疾病、支气管扩张症、肺囊肿等疾病的临床价值已经得到广泛探讨，但其在肺癌手术患者围术期的应用价值尚有待探索。本研究旨在探索围术期进行振动正压呼气训练对胸腔镜肺癌患者术后并发症发生率、肺功能、生活质量的影响。

方法

前瞻性收集2017年9月15日-2018年1月15日四川大学华西医院胸外科单个医疗组行胸腔镜肺叶切除的原发性非小细胞癌患者69例，随机分成实验组（35例）和对照组（34例）。实验组（acapella group, AG）围手术期采用振动正压呼气训练，对照组（control group, CG）进行常规围术期处理。对比分析两组在术后并发症发生率、肺功能、生活质量方面的差异。

结果

术后肺部并发症和肺不张在AG（2.9%, 0.0%）显著低于CG（20.6%, 14.7%）（P=0.03, P=0.03）；平均住院日和术后住院日在AG（10.86±5.64, 5.09±4.55）d显著短于CG（14.41±4.58, 7.59±3.21）d（P=0.01, P=0.01）；住院药物费用在AG（4, 413.60±1, 772.35）￥显著低于CG（6, 490.35±3, 367.66）￥（P=0.01）。出院当日第1秒用力呼气容积（forced expiratory volume in the first second, FEV₁）和呼气峰流速（peak expiratory flow, PEF）在AG[(1.50±0.32) L, (252.06±75.27) L/min]显著高于CG[(1.34±0.19) L, (216.94±49.72) L/min]（P=0.03, P=0.03）。

结论

肺癌患者围手术期使用振动正压呼气训练有助于降低肺部并发症，同时能够加速患者康复。

[Effect of A High Intensive Preoperative Rehabilitation on the Perioperative Complications in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Eligible for Lung Cancer Surgery]

背景与目的

慢性阻塞性肺病(chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, COPD)降低患者心肺功能，可导致患者围手术期风险增加。本研究拟探讨术前短期高强度肺康复训练对肺癌合并COPD患者肺功能及术后并发症的影响。

方法

分析2016年6月-2016年12月101例肺癌合并COPD患者的临床资料，其中肺康复训练组43例，常规治疗组58例，比较两组患者肺功能、术后肺部并发症、住院时间等指标，同时比较肺康复训练组训练前后肺功能相关指标。

结果

两组患者术前一般资料及肺功能无显著差异，康复训练组住院时间更长[(17.23±4.18) d vs (14.41±4.03) d]，但术后住院时间与常规治疗组无显著差异[(8.93±3.78) d vs (9.62±3.98) d]，两组患者术后肺部感染[8例(18.6%) vs 17例(29.3%)]、肺不张[1例(2.3%) vs 1例(1.7%)]、呼吸衰竭[1例(2.3%) vs 2例(3.4%)]等无显著差异。肺康复训练组训练前后FEV₁[(2.06±0.45) L vs (2.15±0.45) L, P < 0.001]、PEF[(4.32±0.90) L/s vs (5.15±1.05) L/s, P < 0.001]、PCO₂[(42.42±2.79) mmHg vs (41.58±2.98) mmHg, P=0.009]改善明显，按亚组分析，康复训练后中-重度COPD亚组FEV₁[(0.16±0.05) L (8.6%) vs (0.06±0.05) L (2.8%)]增加值较轻度COPD亚组更明显。

结论

术前短期肺康复训练可改善肺癌合并COPD患者肺功能，其中中-重度COPD患者肺功能改善更明显。

[Effect of A High Intensive Preoperative Rehabilitation on the Perioperative Complications in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Eligible for Lung Cancer Surgery]

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will reduce the cardiopulmonary function and increase perioperative risk. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of preoperative short-term high intensity lung rehabilitation training on lung function and postoperative complications in patients with COPD who are eligible for lung cancer surgery.

METHODS

We analysis of 101 patients with COPD and a diagnosis of lung cancer, with 43 patients in pulmonary rehabilitation group and 58 patients in conventional group. The pulmonary function, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and length of stay (LOS) will be compared between the two groups, the lung function will be compared before and after the rehabilitation at the same time.

RESULTS

There were no significant difference between the two groups in general information, lung function before surgery, postoperative pulmonary infection [8 (18.6%) vs 17 (29.3%)], atelectasis [1 (2.3%) vs 1 (1.7%)], respiratory failure [1 (2.3%) vs 2 (3.4%)] and postoperative LOS [(8.93±3.78) d vs (9.62±3.98) d, P>0.05]. In the rehabilitation group, the FEV1 [(2.06±0.45) L vs (2.15±0.45) L, P<0.001] and PEF [(4.32±0.90) L/s vs (5.15±1.05) L/s, P<0.001) were higher, and PCO2 [(42.42±2.79) mmHg vs (41.58±2.98) mmHg, P=0.009] was lower after rehabilitation, significantly. The increase value of FEV1 in moderate to severe COPD group was higher than that of the mild COPD group after the rehabilitation [(0.16±0.05) L, 8.6% vs (0.06±0.05) L, 2.8%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term highly-intensity lung rehabilitation can improve lung function in lung cancer patients with COPD, and the improvement of pulmonary function in moderate to severe COPD patients is more obviously.

[Establishment and Optimization of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery System for Lung Cancer]

加速康复外科（enhanced recovery after surgery, ERAS）理念应用于不同疾病及学科均有其相应的关键技术及流程与体系。肺癌微创外科的核心是加速肺康复（enhanced lung recovery after surgery, ELRAS），而加速肺康复的关键技术是气道管理和肺保护。气道管理和肺保护的实现需要医、护、康一体及多学科协作，从而形成肺癌患者加速肺康复的完整体系。主要包括以下几方面：一是ERAS方案实施的各个环节均有准确、客观的评估体系；二是ERAS方案简单、易行且具有可重复性；三是ERAS方案临床应用效果具有精准严谨评价体系；四是以问题为导向的团队架构。总之，加速肺康复外科体系需要在临床实践中不断优化与完善。