Changes of pulmonary functions after pneumonectomy

Objective To investigate the changes of pulmonary functions after pneumonectomy. Methods Patients underment pneumonectomy from April 1996 through April 2001 in our center were followed up. Thirty-two patients without postoperative complications, occurrence of distant metastasis of cancer were admitted into this study. Pulmonary functions were measured at 1, 3, 6 month and 1, 3, 5 year postoperatively. The VC, FEV1, FEV1% and MVV were obtained with EGAER pulmonary functions test instrument and analyzed in SPSS10.0 for windows software. Results Pulmonary functions decreased significantly within 1 month and recovered to a stable level at 6 month after pneumonectomy. The pulmonary functions in those of right pneumonectomy and aged patients of pneumonectomy recovered slower than those of left pneumonectomy and younger ones. Conclusion Pulmonary functions decreased significantly within early periods after pneumonectomy, especially for those of right pneumonectomy and aged patients, but recovered to a stable level at 6 month after pneumonectomy and got better afterwards. The pulmonary functions after pneumonctomy recovered to a satisfactory level in long-term following-up periods.