Evaluation of the utility of vibration response imaging device and Operation Planning Software in the assessment of patients before lung resection surgery

Background and objectives: A variety of methods have been used to evaluate patients with lung cancer to define a patient cohort at high risk for postoperative mortality and respiratory complications associated with lung resection surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of vibration response imaging (VRIXP) Operation Planning Software (O-Plan) in assessing suitability for surgical resection and for the prediction of postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppoFEV1). Methods: A total of 58 subjects with lung cancer underwent evaluation prior to lung resection surgery and postoperative lung function after surgery. Results: Preoperative pulmonary function tests and quantitative breath sound measurements by VRI were performed in all patients to estimate postoperative lung function. In addition, 20 patients underwent perfusion scan prior to surgery. VRIXP O-Plan predictions (12 pneumonectomies and 46 lobectomies) showed good correlation and concordance (Lin’s coefficient) with postoperative FEV1 (l) (r = 0.865, Lin’s coefficient 0.858) and FEV1 (%) (r = 0.877, Lin’s coefficient 0.861) 4–6 weeks after surgery. Predicted and postoperative measured FEV1 showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Average lung function predicted postoperative values were similar for perfusion and VRIXP O-Plan calculations with a correlation of 0.74 and concordance of 0.700. Conclusions: VRIXP O-Plan has shown high accuracy in predicting postoperative FEV1 after lung resection surgery. Given its simplicity of operation and the non-invasive nature of VRIXP and O-Plan, it could be a good alternative to perfusion scan in pre-surgery assessment.