Abstract
Background and objectives:
To assess lung ultrasound for the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory complications in thoracic surgery.
Methods:
Prospective observational study in a University hospital, single institution. Adult patients scheduled for pulmonary resection surgery excluding pneumonectomy. An ultrasound follow-up was performed from the day before the surgery to the third day after surgery with calculation of B-line and lung score (reaeration and loss of aeration scores). Respiratory complications were collected throughout the hospitalization period.
Results:
Fifty-six patients were included. Eighteen patients presented a respiratory complication (32%), and they presented significantly higher BMI and ASA scores. Patients operated by videothoracoscopy were less at risk of complications. At day 3, a reaeration score ≤ 2 on the ventilated side or ≤-2 on the operated side, and a B-line score > 6 on the operated side were in favor of a complication.
Conclusion:
Lung ultrasound can help in the diagnosis of respiratory complications following pulmonary resection surgery.
KEYWORDS
Ultrasound; Thoracic surgery; Complications; Bedside