Resection of Lung Cancer After COVID-19 in a Patient With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Evidence regarding the safety of thoracic surgery after COVID-19 is insufficient. The postoperative complication rate is high in patients with comorbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who undergo thoracic surgery. Herein we report a woman with advanced lung cancer associated with severe pulmonary dysfunction with a percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 44.5% and percentage of predicted diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide of 38.9% due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease detected after COVID-19. Curative resection was safely performed with perioperative management including respiratory physiotherapy, inhalation therapy, and adequate preoperative waiting period.