Influence of the site of lobectomy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on pulmonary function: a follow-up analysis.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of the site of lobectomy and the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on pulmonary function at different postoperative periods. The patients were divided into groups of COPD and non-COPD patients, and the differences between observed and predicted postoperative values of pulmonary function at different evaluation times according to the resected lobe were assessed. The observed postoperative percentage change in FEV(1) (opo%DeltaFEV(1)) - predicted postoperative percentage change in FEV(1) (ppo%DeltaFEV(1)) one month and six months after right upper lobectomy or left upper lobectomy in COPD patients was of significantly higher positive value than in non-COPD patients. In non-COPD patients, opo%DeltaFEV(1) - ppo%DeltaFEV(1) one month and six months after surgery was of significantly higher negative value in those who had right upper lobectomy than in those who had right lower lobectomy or left lower lobectomy (P<0.05). COPD may strongly influence pulmonary function at early- and late-terms after upper lobectomy. In non-COPD patients, the site of lobectomy may strongly influence pulmonary function at early- and late-terms after surgery.