Thoracic Skeletal Muscle Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes After Lobectomy for Lung Cancer

Background: Assessment of risk associated with lung cancer resection is primarily based on evaluation of cardiopulmonary function and remains imprecise. We investigated the relationship between thoracic muscle and early outcomes after lobectomy.

Methods: Cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle was measured at the level of the fifth thoracic vertebra on computed tomography in 135 consecutive patients before lobectomy for lung cancer. Patients were stratified into low and high muscle groups using the sex-specific muscle median. Primary outcome was a composite of any postoperative complication as per The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgical Database. Secondary outcomes included postoperative respiratory complications, postoperative intensive care unit admission, hospital length of stay, and hospital readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge. The χ test, adjusted multivariable regression analysis, and likelihood ratio test were performed.

Results: Patients with low muscle were significantly more likely to have any postoperative complication and respiratory postoperative complications. Although postoperative intensive care unit admission was similar for low muscle and high muscle groups, low muscle patients had longer hospital length of stay and a higher rate of hospital readmission. Adjusted multivariable regression revealed the independent association of thoracic muscle with all outcomes. The likelihood ratio test suggested that thoracic muscle adds predictive capability to information captured by preoperative pulmonary function testing.

Conclusions: Low thoracic muscle is independently associated with increased postoperative complications and health care utilization among patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer. Evaluation of thoracic muscle may enhance risk prediction models.