Quality of life after thoracic surgery

Abstract

Quality of life is difficult to define. The Karnofsky-Index has little contributed to the objective evaluation and self assessment appears to be rather important. A study of 88 patients of which 58 were subjected to thoracic surgery revealed, that quality of life following thoracic surgery is basically dependent on the postoperative physical condition. Following surgery of the esophagus the ability to swallow, after lung resection the respiratory capacity are important for the postoperative well being.