An analysis, systematic review, and meta-analysis of the perioperative mortality after neoadjuvant therapy and pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

ObjectivePneumonectomy after neoadjuvant therapy remains controversial.MethodsA systematic PubMed search was performed for original articles from 1990 through 2010 describing pneumonectomy after neoadjuvant therapy. Specific data on 30-day and 90-day perioperative mortalities were abstracted from these articles. Meta-analysis compared 30-day mortality between right and left pneumonectomy with a fixed-effects model. Comparison between 30-day and 90-day mortalities was also performed.ResultsThe search strategy yielded 27 studies. Overall, 30-day and 90-day perioperative mortalities were 7% and 12%, respectively. Among 15 studies providing side-specific 30-day mortality, cumulative mortalities were 11% and 5% for right and left pneumonectomies, respectively. In the meta-analysis that included 10 studies, 30-day mortality for right pneumonectomy remained greater than for left pneumonectomy (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.49; P = .02). Among 6 studies providing side-specific 90-day mortality, cumulative mortalities were 20% and 9% for right and left pneumonectomies, respectively. In the meta-analysis that included 4 studies, 90-day mortality for right pneumonectomy was greater than for left pneumonectomy (odds ratio, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.72; P = .03). Among 11 studies providing both 30-day and 90-day mortalities, mortality difference was 5% (95% confidence interval, 4%-7%, P < .0001). Pulmonary complications were the most common cause of 30-day and 90-day deaths.ConclusionsRight pneumonectomy is associated with significantly higher 30-day and 90-day mortalities after neoadjuvant therapy than left pneumonectomy. Also, 90-day mortality for all pneumonectomies appears to be greater than expected, suggesting that the 30-day mortality figure may inadequately assess the perioperative mortality.