Effects of Surgery Types in Patients With Pulmonary Nodules

Comparison of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy Surgery and Thoracotomy on Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Patients With Pulmonary Nodules

The investigators aimed to compare the pre-post operative effects of video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy on pulmonary function, exercise capacity, physical activity level, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, quality of life, fatigue, dyspnea perception and pain in patients with pulmonary nodules.

According to global cancer statistics, lung cancer accounts for 11.6% of all cancer cases and it is the most common type of cancer in the world. Surgery is the primary treatment approach, especially in early stages lung cancer. Cardiopulmonary fitness of patients with lung cancer is lower than healthy individuals due to the disease itself and treatments. Pulmonary function, exercise capacity and physical activity level are affected in lung cancer depending on the resected lung tissue and the type of surgery. VATS and thoracotomy surgeries, which are the most preferred techniques in lung cancer, have advantages and disadvantages over each other. There are few studies compared the early effects of two surgeries on the pulmonary function, exercise capacity, physical activity, quality of life and fatigue. And also, no study compared the effects of two surgeries on respiratory muscle endurance and peripheral muscle strength, previously. According to sample size calculation, at least 15 patients with pulmonary lesion both VATS and thoracotomy groups would be included in the study. The demographic, physical and physiological characteristics were recorded from the patient files. Pulmonary function, functional exercise capacity, physical activity level, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, quality of life, fatigue, dyspnea perception and pain were evaluated pre and two weeks after postoperative term. Primary outcomes were pulmonary function, functional exercise capacity and physical activity level. Secondary outcomes were respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, quality of life, fatigue, dyspnea perception and pain.

pulmonary nodule, pulmonary function, functional exercise capacity, physical activity, respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, quality of life

Patients with pulmonary nodule scheduled VATS were included in this study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered. Pulmonary function (spirometry), functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test (6-MWT); 6-minute stepper test (6-MST)), physical activity level (metabolic holter), respiratory (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP-MEP); mouth pressure device) and peripheral muscle strength (dynamometer), inspiratory muscle endurance (incremental loading test), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTCQOL)), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), dyspnea perception (Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (MMRC)) and pain severity (Visual Analog Scale) were assessed before VATS and average two weeks after surgery.

Patients with pulmonary nodule scheduled thoracotomy were included in this study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered. Pulmonary function (spirometry), functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test (6-MWT); 6-minute stepper test (6-MST)), physical activity level (metabolic holter), respiratory (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP-MEP); mouth pressure device) and peripheral muscle strength (dynamometer), inspiratory muscle endurance (incremental loading test), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTCQOL)), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), dyspnea perception (Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (MMRC)) and pain severity (Visual Analog Scale) were assessed before VATS and average two weeks after surgery.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a minimal invasive technique in which used to diagnose or treat for lung diseases. During this surgery, one or two small incisions are opened via camera and surgical instruments in patient's chest wall. Thus, less muscle and nerve tissue are damaged. Thoracotomy is an open surgical technique in which allowing visualization of the inside of the thorax. During this surgery, an incision in patient's chest wall is made between the ribs and some muscles important for respiration are cutted to remove a part of lung.

Thoracotomy is an open surgical technique in which allowing visualization of the inside of the thorax. During this surgery, an incision in patient's chest wall is made between the ribs and some muscles important for respiration are cutted to remove a part of lung.

Forced expiratory volume in one second was evaluated with spirometry according American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) criteria. The value was represented as percentages.

Forced vital capacity was evaluated with spirometry according to ATS and ERS criteria. The value was represented as percentages.

Forced expiratory volume in one second/Forced vital capacity was evaluated with spirometry according to ATS and ERS criteria. The value was represented as percentages.

Peak expiratory flow was evaluated with spirometry according to ATS and ERS criteria. The value was represented as percentages.

Flow rate 25-75% of forced expiratory volume was evaluated with spirometry according to ATS and ERS criteria. The value was represented as percentages.

6-minute walk test were used to assess functional exercise capacity according to the guidelines. The test was repeated twice in the same day with 30 min interval. The highest distance was recorded for analysis.

6-minute stepper test were used to assess functional exercise capacity according to the guidelines. The height of the stepper used for test was 20 cm. A cycle of up and down was define as one step. The number of steps was recorded for analysis.

Total energy expenditure (joules/day), active energy expenditure (>3.0 metabolic equivalents (METs)) (joules/day), physical activity duration (>3.0 METs) (min/day), average MET (METs/day), number of steps (steps/day), lying down (min/day) and sleeping duration (min/day) were measured to interpret the physical activity level of the patients via metabolic holter device. The metabolic holter was worn over triceps brachii muscle of non-dominant extremity for two consecutive days. The patients' activity level were categorized according to number of steps and average MET sums.

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was performed to evaluate respiratory muscle strength. Evaluation was done by using portable mouth pressure device accordance with the guidelines. The MIP was measured at residual volume after maximal expiration. The measurements were repeated at least seven times for technically acceptable value.

Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was performed to evaluate respiratory muscle strength. Evaluation was done by using portable mouth pressure device accordance with the guidelines. The MEP was measured from total lung capacity after maximal inspiration. The measurements were repeated at least seven times for technically acceptable value.

Shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion, elbow extension, quadriceps femoris muscle strength and hand grip strength were evaluated using a hand held dynamometer. The measurements of each muscle were repeated bilaterally three times.

Inspiratory muscle endurance test were performed using respiratory muscle trainer (POWERbreathe) according to incremental threshold loading test protocol. The endurance test was started at thirty percentage of MIP and each two minutes the load of test was increased by ten percentage of MIP. The highest percentage of MIP could be reached and sustained for at least 1 min was defined as maximal load and time were recorded for analysis.

This scale was used to evaluate dyspnea and fatigue perception during 6-minute walk test and 6-minute stepper test. It was scored between 0 and 10. The lowest value was 0 which was meant no dyspnea or fatigue and the highest value was 10 which was meant worse and severe dyspnea and fatigue.

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 version3.0 (Turkish version of scale) were used. The questionnaire comprise of 30 items in which five scales and several single items are graded from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much) except for 29-30 items. All scales and items' scores are expressed by transforming to a 0-100 scale. Higher values except symptom scale represent higher quality of life. The minimum value was '0' and the maximum value was '100'. The highest value was meant better quality of life. The highest value for symptom scale was meant worse symptom.

Fatigue severity scale (Turkish version of scale) were applied. This one-dimensional scale compose of nine items scored between 1 (completely disagree) and 7 (completely agree). The minimum total value was 7 and the maximum total value was 63. The cut-off value for severe fatigue was 36 and the highest total value is meant severe fatigue.

The Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale were performed to determine dyspnea perception during daily living activities. This categorical scale consisting of five expressions are scored from '0' to '4'. The minimum value was 0 which means no complain about dyspnea apart from strenuous exercise; the maximum value was 4 which means too breathless for leaving the house or dyspnea while getting dressed. The highest value was refered to severe shortness of breath during activities of daily living.

To evaluate pain severity, visual analog scale were used. The minimum value was 0 mm (no pain) and the maximum value was 100 mm (worst pain). The highest score was 100 mm which was meant worse pain severity.

Inclusion Criteria: Being between 18-80 years of age, Patients with pulmonary nodule who were planned lobectomy surgery with one of VATS or thoracotomy techniques, Being able to walk, Exclusion Criteria: Any type of surgery planned except lobectomy, Having heart failure or atrial fibrillation, Having acute viral infections during all assessment, History of acute myocard infarction within last six months, Uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, Having orthopedic, neurological and psychological disorders that influence the results of study.

Gazi University, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unit

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