En-bloc chest wall and lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer. Predictors of 60-day non-cancer related mortality

Objective: Predictors for early mortality after isolated pulmonary resection have been identified and clear guidelines regarding fitness for surgery have been produced. However, the additional risk of en-bloc chest wall resection has not been extensively studied. Aim: We analyzed our total experience of combined chest wall and lung resection for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to identify additional risk factors for early non-tumour related mortality. Patients and methods: A retrospective review of 41 consecutive patients, with median age of 69 (range 37–84) years, operated by a single surgeon over a 4-year period. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the relationship of selected preoperative and operative variables on mortality within 2 months from surgery. Results: Low preoperative body mass index, age over 75 years, and preoperative FEV1 of less than 70% of predicted were associated with a significantly increased 60-day mortality. In those patients with any of these risk factors 60-day mortality was 47% (8 of 17). In those with none of the above there was no mortality (of 24 patients) (P=0.0004). Discussion: En-bloc pulmonary and chest wall resection for NSCLC should be avoided in the elderly, those with limited respiratory reserve or significant weight loss. These factors render the patient highly susceptible to chest complications leading to increased mortality.