Inability to perform maximal stair climbing test before lung resection: a propensity score analysis on early outcome

Abstract Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess whether patients unable to perform a preoperative maximal stair climbing test had an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality after major lung resection compared to patients who were able to exercise. Methods: Three hundred and ninety one patients submitted to pulmonary lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer were analyzed. Forty-five of these patients were unable to perform a preoperative maximal stair climbing test for underlying comorbidities. Unadjusted and propensity score case matched comparisons were performed between patients who could and who could not perform a preoperative stair climbing test. Multivariable analyses were then performed to identify predictors of morbidity and mortality, and were validated by bootstrap bagging. Results: Patients who could not perform the stair climbing test had similar morbidity rates (31.1 vs. 35.6%, respectively, PZ0.7), but higher mortality rates (15.6 vs. 4.4%, respectively, PZ0.08) and deaths among complicated patients (50 vs. 12.5%, respectively, PZ0.025), compared to propensity score matched patients who could perform the stair climbing test. Logistic regression analyses showed that the inability to perform the stair climbing test was an independent and reliable predictor of mortality (PZ0.005) but not of morbidity (PZ0.2). Conclusions: Patients unable to perform a preoperative maximal exercise test had an increased risk of mortality after major lung resection. Half of these patients did not survive postoperative complications, due to their decreased aerobic reserve caused by physical inactivity which made them unable to cope with the increased oxygen demand.

Predictors of prolonged air leak after pulmonary lobectomy

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify the predictors of prolonged air leak (air leak longer than 7 days) in patients submitted to pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis on 588 patients operated on of pulmonary lobectomy from January 1995 through June 2003 was performed. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to generate a model predicting the risk of prolonged air leak. Bootstrap resampling technique was used to validate the regression model. RESULTS: A prolonged leak was exhibited by 15.6% of patients. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent predictors of prolonged air leak were a reduced predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (p < 0.0001), the presence of pleural adhesions (p = 0.003), and upper resections (p = 0.006). Bootstrap resampling analysis confirmed the reliability of these variables. A regression equation was generated for the prediction of the risk of prolonged air leak. CONCLUSIONS: We report that a low predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second, the presence of pleural adhesions, and the upper lobectomy or bilobectomy increased the risk of air leak persisting for more than 7 days. A model was generated to calculate this risk and assist the surgeon in taking extra measures to prevent such complication (ie, optimizing bronchodilator treatment, pleural tent, sealants, buttressed staple lines, water seal, and chest tube drainage)

Valutazione di fattori prognostici nel trattamento integrato dei GIST

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are mesenchymal tumorssupposed to arise from the cells of Cajal for mutations of the tyrosine re-ceptor kinases c-kit or platelet-derived growth factor receptor A. Ima-tinib selectively inhibits the kinase activity. Surgical treatments includ-ing radical resection and local excision remain the main treatment forprimary gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Patients with high-grade GISTs have a higher risk of tumor recurrence and a shorter lifeexpectancy the introduction of Imatinib had changed drammaticallythe natural history of that kind of tunors, expecially in non-resectabletumors. AIM: we try to find the relationship between the tumor chara-teristics (size,mitosis, risk group, clinical sign and symptoms) and theoutcome (disease free survival and overall survival). Methods: from2001 to 2007, 20 patients (11 m/9 f) median age 68.9 (range 50-83yrs) underwent surgery for GIST resection, occasional diagnosys wasperformed in 3 patients. 15 were primary GIST, 2 recurrence localizedin ileum. Was performed 9 wedge gastric resections, 1 gastric resection,11 ileal resection. Main tumor size was 7.1 cm +/- 5, tumor necrosiswas found in 2 cases. After a median follow-up of 55.3 months (39.4-71.2) We stratify the patiens in risk group and we observed a statisticrelatrionship between tumor size and mitosis ane DFS and OS. Con-clusion: even in a small group surgical excision of low- and intermedi-ate-grade GIST has an excellent prognosis. Surgery remains the main-stay of treatments, and high-grade tumours carry a significantly worseprognosis. High mitotic rates and size are important poor prognostica-tor