Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Postoperative pneumonia risks and death after lung cancer surgery
By Sheervalilou M et al.·2026·Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: Clinical predictors and mortality of postoperative pneumonia following pulmonary resection in patients with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Plain-English summary
Postoperative pneumonia is a serious complication that can occur after lung surgery in patients with lung cancer, and it can lead to worse health outcomes. A review of 17 studies involving over 21,000 lung cancer patients found that certain factors can predict the risk of developing this pneumonia after surgery. For example, patients with lower lung function before surgery and those undergoing specific types of lung surgery, like bilobectomy or wedge resection, were at higher risk. Additionally, having a tumor in the left lung increased the risk, while tumors in the right lung seemed to lower it. Overall, patients who developed postoperative pneumonia faced longer hospital stays and had a significantly higher chance of dying, highlighting the importance of taking steps to prevent this complication.
Abstract
Postoperative pneumonia (POP) represents a significant complication in lung cancer (LC) patients following lung resection, contributing to poor outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify clinical predictors and outcomes of POP in LC. A systematic search was conducted in EBSCOhost, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, with screening and reporting following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed in Jamovi 2.3.28, reporting results as odds ratios (OR) or standardised mean differences (SMD). Egger's test and Fail-safe N were used to assess publication bias and evidence robustness (PROSPERO: CRD42024551104). A total of 17 studies encompassing 21,104 LC patients (1,610 with POP and 19,494 without) were included. Reduced FEV1 (SMD: -0.48, 95%CI: [- 0.61, -0.36], P < 0.001) predicted POP. Surgical predictors of POP included VATS (OR: 0.575, 95%CI: [0.448, 0.737], P < 0.001), segmentectomy (OR: 0.459, 95%CI: [0.261, 0.805], P = 0.007), wedge resection (OR: 1.828, 95%CI: [1.189, 2.809], P = 0.006), lobectomy (OR: 0.626, 95%CI: [0.488, 0.803], P < 0.001), bilobectomy (OR: 2.367, 95%CI: [1.408, 3.979], P = 0.001), and pneumonectomy (OR: 1.750, 95%CI: [1.178, 2.600], P = 0.006). Left lung tumours increased POP risk (OR: 1.254, 95%CI: [1.050, 1.499], P = 0.013), while right lung tumours were protective (OR: 0.801, 95%CI: [0.670, 0.975], P = 0.015). POP was associated with longer surgery (SMD: 0.22, 95% CI: [0.11, 0.34], P < 0.001), extended hospitalisation (SMD: 1.19, 95%CI: [1.07, 1.30], P < 0.001), and significantly higher overall mortality OR: 12.12, 95% CI: [5.540, 26.550], P < 0.001). POP in LC patients is influenced by respiratory function, surgical approach, and tumour location, and predicts poor survival, emphasising the need for preventive strategies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41474431