Postoperative outcome following thoracotomy in the pediatric oncology patient with diminished pulmonary function

Surgical resection of pulmonary metastatic disease is often indicated in pediatric malignancies. Although several adult studies document increased postoperative morbidity in adults with diminished pulmonary function, there is little information in the pediatric population or in patients with restrictive lung disease. We reviewed the postoperative course following thoracotomy in patients with diminished pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, or TLC less than 80% predicted). Thirty-two thoracotomies were performed in 19 patients. The preoperative FVC (% predicted) was 68 ± 3.6 with a postoperative value of 60 ± 2.4 (P < 0.01). The preoperative FEV1 was 69 ± 4.2 with a postoperative value of 60 ± 3.8 (P < 0.01). Although there was a significant drop in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) following surgery, there was not a significantly greater loss when comparing patients with mild, moderate, and severe disease. When considering postoperative morbidity, there were 3 events (prolonged oxygen requirement, need for postoperative ventilation, or persistent air leak) following 20 surgeries in patients with mild preoperative respiratory dysfunction, 5 events (including one death) in the 7 patients with moderate dysfunction, and 3 events following 5 surgeries in patients with severe dysfunction. There was no correlation with a decrease in any specific PFT and the occurrence of postoperative morbidity. Our limited review suggests that aggressive surgical treatment of metastatic pulmonary disease is tolerated even in patients with severe decreases in pulmonary function. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.