Objective: To ascertain the causes of peri-operative death in patients with lung cancer.
Methods: Five cases died in the peri-operative period in 174 lung cancer patients undergone resection were analyzed.
Results: Two cases died from pulmonary edema and/or atelectasis; one died from acute myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation; one had sudden death immediately after withdrawal of endotracheal tube; the other one died of brain matastasis and multiple organ failure.
Conclusion: Cardio-pulmonary complications are the major causes of peri-operative death in lung cancer patients. Appropriate preventive meassures should be taken to reduce operative mortality.