Table 4. categories of PPCs between groups.
| Complication | IG (n=34) | CG (n=34) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade I, n (%) | |||
| Dyspnea | 8 (23.5) | 9 (26.5) | 0.779 |
| Cough | 6 (17.6) | 9 (26.5) | 0.380 |
| Microatelectasis, microaerothorax or air leakage | 6 (17.6) | 6 (17.6) | 1.000 |
| Grade II, n (%) | |||
| Pneumonia or wound infection | 3 (8.8) | 6 (17.6) | 0.476 |
| Mechanical ventilation <48 h | 0 (0.0) | 3 (8.8) | 0.239 |
| Pleural effusion needing tube relocation or thoracentesis | 2 (5.9) | 2 (5.9) | 1.000 |
| Atelectasis needing bronchoscope and aspirations | 1 (2.9) | 3 (8.8) | 0.614 |
| Dyspnea pharmacological intervention or ventilator support | 2 (5.9) | 4 (11.8) | 0.673 |
| Air leak | 3 (8.8) | 4 (11.8) | 1.000 |
| Grade III, n (%) | |||
| Empyema | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.9) | 1.000 |
| Mechanical ventilation >48 h | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.9) | 1.000 |
| Bronchopleural fistula | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1.000 |
| Chylothorax | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.9) | 1.000 |
| Grade IV, n (%) | |||
| Return to ICU | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.9) | 1.000 |
| Pulmonary embolism | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1.000 |
| ARDS | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1.000 |
| Single or multi organ failure | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1.000 |
| Grade V, n (%) | |||
| Death | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1.000 |
PPC, postoperative pulmonary complication; IG, intervention group; CG, control group.