Introduction: Sarcopenia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Preoperative inspiratory muscle weakness is also a risk factor for PPCs. Sarcopenia and COPD are often associated with inspiratory muscle weakness. Respiratory sarcopenia has been defined as the coexistence of whole-body sarcopenia and respiratory muscle weakness. We report our experience with preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation, including inspiratory muscle training (IMT), in a patient with lung cancer and comorbid respiratory sarcopenia and COPD.
Case presentation: A 73-year-old man with squamous cell lung cancer (cStage IA2) was hospitalized for pulmonary rehabilitation before lung resection. He had comorbid severe sarcopenia and COPD (GOLD stage III). He also had inspiratory muscle weakness and a thin diaphragm. We conducted IMT on the patient in addition to aerobic exercise and instruction regarding sputum expectoration for 2 weeks before the surgery. Consequently, his pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise capacity improved. Segmentectomy was performed using video-assisted thoracic surgery. No postoperative complications occurred.
Conclusion: IMT in a patient with lung cancer and comorbid respiratory sarcopenia and COPD resulted in improved respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function. IMT may have reduced the risk of PPCs by strengthening the respiratory muscles and improving pulmonary function.
Keywords: inspiratory muscle training; lung cancer; pulmonary rehabilitation; respiratory sarcopenia.
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.