Rueth et al reported predictors of postoperative complications following surgical resection of a non-small cell lung cancer. The authors are from the University of Minnesota.
Patient selection: 66 to 80 years of age status post lobectomy for Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Most common complications:
(1) pulmonary
(2) cardiac
Predictors of any postoperative complications:
(1) age >= 75 years (OR 1.3)
(2) male sex (OR 1.28)
(3) Charlson comorbidity index >= 2 (OR 1.83); CCI = 1 (OR 1.38)
(4) tumor diameter >= 5 cm OR 1.26); tumor diameter 3 to 4.99 cm (OR 1.19)
None of these have a high odds ratio by itself. Multiple predictors need to be present for significant risk.
Additional predictors for pulmonary complications:
(1) nonadenocarcinoma histology (squamous or other)
(2) surgery performed at a non-teaching hospital
(3) more than 1 procedure performed
