Preoperative risk-factors for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax surgery in Japan: a nationwide database study

Purpose: We aimed to identify preoperative risk factors for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax surgery.

Methods: The National Clinical Database of Japan, with six annual datasets from 2014 to 2019, was used. All patients who underwent surgery for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were included, excluding those < 15 years old and those with incomplete data. The effects of preoperative risk factors were analyzed for operative mortality (mortality during hospitalization or within 30 days, regardless of hospitalization status), 30-day mortality, and postoperative respiratory morbidities.

Results: Of the 18,309 patients enrolled in the study, operative mortality, 30-day mortality, and postoperative respiratory morbidities were observed in 654 (3.6%), 343 (1.9%), and 2258 (12.3%) patients, respectively. Increasing age, male sex, body mass index < 18.5 or > 30, performance status > 2, emergent surgery, interstitial pneumonia, and diabetes in preoperative co-morbidity, tumors, and other diseases in underlying lung disease were significant risk factors for operative mortality. Those for 30-day mortality included autoimmune disease instead of male sex and diabetes, while those for postoperative respiratory morbidities included lymphangiomyomatosis instead of a body mass index > 30.

Conclusion: We identified many preoperative risk factors for operative mortality, 30-day mortality, and postoperative respiratory morbidities in secondary spontaneous pneumothorax surgery. These findings will assist in selecting appropriate surgical candidates.