Longitudinal changes in the volume of residual lung lobes after lobectomy for lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study

It is unclear how the residual lobe volume changes over time after lobectomy. This study aims to clarify the temporal patterns of volume changes in each remaining lung lobe post-lobectomy. A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer at Yueyang Central Hospital from January to December 2021. Lung CT images were reconstructed in three dimensions to calculate the volumes of each lung lobe preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. A total of 182 patients were included. Postoperatively, the median total lung volume change rates relative to preoperative values were -20.1%, -9.3%, and -5.9% at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Except for the right middle lobe in patients who underwent right upper lobectomy, the volumes of individual lung lobes exceeded preoperative values. The volume growth of the lung on the side of the resection was significantly more than that of the lung on the opposite side. For left lobectomy patients, the right lower lobe’s volume change rate exceeded that of the right upper and middle lobes. Among right lobectomy patients, the left lower lobe and the relatively inferior lobe of right lung had higher volume change rates than the superior one. Right middle lobe change rate was more in patients with right lower lobectomy than right upper lobectomy. Six months postoperatively, FEV1% and right middle lobectomy were positively correlated with the overall volume change rate. One year postoperatively, only age was negatively correlated with the overall volume change rate. 75 patients had pulmonary function tests. Postoperative FEV1 change linearly correlated with 1-year lung volume change rate, but not with theoretical total lung volume change rate or segmental method calculated FEV1 change. Time-dependent compensatory volume changes occur in remaining lung lobe post-lobectomy, with stronger compensation observed in the relatively inferior lobe compared to the superior one(s). Preoperative lung function and age may affect compensation level.