RESUMO
Background: Patients with normal pulmonary function tolerate removal of an entire lung without respiratory problems. In patients witth impaired pulmonary function, post resectional function is of importance for the assessment of surgical risk. This necessitates the ability to measure the relative contribution of the parenchyma to be resected to the total lung function and the predicted postoperative lung functions. Objective: To determine preoperative lung functions as assessed with split lung functions and correlates with postsurgical lung functions and to determine the effect of lung resections on spirometric lung function. Material and methods: All those patients planned for lung resection surgery were included in the study. Predicted postoperative FEV1 and FVC were calculated. Preoperative spirometry was performed within a week before surgery. Predicted postoperative values were calculated. Postoperative spirometry was performed at the end of first month, third month, and sixth month for each patient. The relationship between potential predictors and postoperative complications were assessed. The predicted values were correlated with measured values (actual values) during the postoperative follow up. Results: Lobectomy was done in 64 persons. The predicted postoperative FEV1 and FVC correlated well with observed FEV1 and FVC in lobectomy (p<.05). The mean preoperative FEV1/L were 1.8 and the mean predicted postoperative (L) FEV1 were 1.4. The mean FEV1 at 1 month follow up were 1.6 and the mean FEV1 at 3 month follow up were 179.8.