Operative Mortality and Respiratory Complications After Lung Resection for Cancer: Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Time Trends

Preoperative FEV1less than 60% is a main predictor of perioperative mortality and respiratory morbidity. Over the last 5-year period, diagnosis of earlier pathologic cancer stages resulting in lesser pulmonary resection as well as provision of continuous thoracic epidural analgesia have contributed to improved surgical outcome.