Factors Affecting the Incidence of Postoperative Respiratory Complications in Lobectomy for Lung Cancer

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence rate and preoperative variables that give rise to a risk of postoperative respiratory complications in patients who have undergone thoracic surgery of single lobectomy for lung cancer. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy-one consecutive patients (mean 71.0 ± 8.8 years of age) with lung cancer underwent single lobectomy. We retrospectively researched the presence or absence of respiratory complications in medical records, and calculated the incidence rate and incidence days of respiratory complications. Postoperative respiratory complications were defined as atelectasis and pneumonia. We also looked for predictive factors of respiratory complications using logistic regression analysis. [Results] The incidence of postoperative respiratory complications was 14.1%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the variables increasing the chances of postoperative respiratory complications were body mass index (odds ratio, OR = 1.36). [Conclusion] These results provide a framework for identifying patients at risk of developing postoperative respiratory complications following thoracic surgery of lobectomy. A reliable and valid risk factor could be used clinically to guide preoperative and postoperative respiratory physiotherapy and care, and direct limited resources to patients at risk.