Application of Helium-Oxygen Mixture Improves Postoperative Outcomes in Cancer Patients with COPD

Introduction Cancer remains one of the most significant global problems of our time, having a complex impact on demographic, medical, and economic systems. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, more than 20 million cases of cancer were registered in 2022, and lung cancer was detected most often among all malignant diseases in the world. In Russia, more than 60,000 first-detected cases of lung cancer are registered annually.

The Aim of our study Improving treatment outcomes in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) thanks to preoperative preparation with a helium-oxygen mixture.

Material and methods The study was carried out on the clinical base of the Perm Regional Clinical Hospital in the departments of thoracic surgery, thoracoabdominal oncology, pulmonology, intensive care. All patients were divided into two groups depending on the method of preoperative period management: 1. study group, where in addition to preoperative preparation, inhalation of a breathing helium-oxygen gas mixture (Heliox, 70% helium and 30% oxygen) was used during the preoperative period of 5–7 days (He group); 2. control or historical control group, formed on the basis of accepted protocols of preparation of patients for planned surgical interventions for lung cancer with concomitant COPD (group C).

Results In our study, postoperative respiratory failure in the He group was significantly less frequent than in the historical control group, which could not but affect the reduction in the duration of postoperative ventilatory support and pulmonary complications. The innovative management of the perioperative period resulted in a decrease in the duration of patients’ stay in the ICU and, as a consequence, had a positive effect on the duration of hospitalization in general.

Conclusion Helium-oxygen mixture improves postoperative outcomes in lung cancer patients with concomitant COPD.

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