Airway Obstruction in Patients with Carcinoma of the Bronchus

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Abstract
Two types of airway obstruction can be displayed by patients with carcinoma of the bronchus: localised obstruction due to the tumour alone and generalised obstruction due to the tumour plus bronchitis. The presence of bronchitis is known to increase the risk of cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection. The patients studied who had function-related post-operative complications differed from those without complications in the levels of the maximal mid-expiratory flow rate determined before operation. This difference is suggested as displaying the presence of significant degrees of bronchitis. A possible explanation for the maximal mid-expiratory flow rate findings in the two types of airway obstruction is put forward and the use of this measurement is recommended in the pre-operative assessment of patients with carcinoma of the bronchus prior to thoracotomy. Values below 1.2 litres/sec are considered to imply increased risks of the complications, whilst values above 1.8 litres/sec are thought to indicate decreased risks.