[Perioperative risk management in anesthesia for thoracic surgery].

Thoracic surgery has become to be performed more safely by recent progress of operative method and anesthetic management. The surgery can be applicable for those patients who were formerly difficult for operation because of preoperative poor respiratory function, however, postoperative mortality and morbidity increase in such patients without appropriate perioperative management. Experienced anesthetic management can contribute to the risk reduction for these conditions. Since respiratory function which is injured by associated diseases is worsen by both thoracic surgery and general anesthesia, patients with coexisting respiratory diseases in particular need to be watched out intensively. Coherent risk management from preoperative to postoperative period becomes important. This is achieved by the comprehensive perioperative patient management which is consisted of the cooperation between the surgeon and the anesthetist, correct preoperartive evaluation, preoperative medical treatment with pulmonary rehabilitation, appropriate anesthetic management, and postoperative intensive care.