OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this report is to analyze factors affecting morbidity and mortality following pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We reviewed our institutional experience with all consecutive patients undergoing pneumonectomy for NSCLC from 1998 to 2010. Patients were analyzed with regard to hospital mortality and morbidity and long-term outcome. RESULTS: There were 310 patients following pneumonectomy. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 5.5 %. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, induction therapy, smoking habits and obesity had no statistical influence on short-term outcome. Coronary artery disease and respiratory failure were identified as risk factors for increased 30-day mortality (p<0.01). Right pneumonectomy and presence of respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation increases the incidence of bronchopleural fistula (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with right pneumonectomies are at increased risk. Coronary artery disease and respiratory failure adversely affect morbidity and mortality after this procedure (Tab. 3, Ref. 19). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

3rd Department of Surgery 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University University Hospital Motol Prague Czech Republic