Abstract
Background: The aim of our study was to determine how patient preoperative status and outcomes of resection have changed over last 12 years. Material and Methods: This retrospective study of prospective database included 1412 patients operated from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2009.
Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared for two time periods (1998-2003 and 2004-2009). Results: We performed 985 lobectomies with 30-days mortality 1.8% and 300 pneumonectomies with 30-days mortality 5.7%.
Median of survival of all 1412 patients was 4.3 year and 5-year survival was 45%. The percentage of female patients, lobectomies and adenocarcinoma increased over time, as well as age of our patients.
Outcome improved over time, with significant decrease in 30-days mortality after pneumonectomy (8.2% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.029). The overall 3-year survival improved in patients with III. stage (30 % vs. 40 %, p = 0.012).
Conclusion: Our study identified time trends which are in-line with increased incidence of lung cancer among women and with improvement of preoperative evaluation, preoperative and postoperative care.