The Role Of Stair Climbing Test In The Preoperative Evaluation Of Patients With Esophageal Carcinoma And Lower Pulmonary Function Being Considered For Surgery

ObjectiveTo assess the role of stair climbing test in the preoperative evaluation of patients with esophageal carcinoma and lower pulmonary function being considered for surgery.Methods575 patients with esophageal carcinoma being considered for surgery underwent spirometry testing,they were divided into two groups:patients with normal pulmonary function(NPF,487patients with FEV₁%≥60%),and patients with lower pulmonary function(LPF,88patients with FEV₁%＜60%),patients in NPF received surgery directly.Stair climbing test was performed in patients of LPF,surgery were performed in 73 patients who can climb 48steps(one step is 0.15m in height)in 60s and with SpO₂＞90%.Clinical state of the 560 patients were observed.Patients with lower pulmonary function were divided into two groups:with postoperative cardiopulmonary complication and without postoperative cardiopulmonary complication.Preoperative pulmonary function and postoperative cardiopulmonary complication were compared between these two groups.Result74 of 560 patients(13.21%)had cardiopulmonary complication.The risk of complications increased in LPF(20.55%)compared with NPF(12.11%),but no statistics meaning(P＞0.05).ConclusionStair climbing test is a simple and economical means to evaluate patients with esophageal carcinoma.Some patients who couldn't underwent surgery if assessed by spirometry testing only regain the opportunity of surgery after taking exercise,selected through stair climbing test.