What is multiple organ failure
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a syndrome in which two or more organs become dysfunctional or even fail after severe damage (e.g., serious illness, trauma, surgery, infection, shock, etc.).
Lung cancer surgery is major and traumatic, and it causes the release of inflammatory cytokines and stress hormones that may be important in the development of MODS after surgery. This is compounded by the combination of chronic organ failure (e.g., diabetic renal failure, cardiac insufficiency, etc.) or postoperative infection.
The most common organ failure after lung cancer surgery is pulmonary failure. The risk of respiratory failure is much higher when combined with pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, phrenic nerve injury, pulmonary torsion, and cardiovascular accidents.
How to respond
To prevent MODS, infections need to be actively prevented. If an infected site is found, the physician will do prompt drainage to completely remove the necrotic tissue and try to keep the infection localized.
If postoperative respiratory failure occurs, tracheal intubation or tracheotomy and long-term ventilator use may be required. At this time, you should cooperate with your physician and receive respiratory support therapy as soon as possible.
If the oxygen supply is chronically inadequate, this can further trigger other organ failure throughout the body. Once this occurs, physicians will aggressively seek and treat the primary cause, correct tissue hypoxia, and improve metabolic and immune regulation.
Co-authors: Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute Dr. Zheng Shaopeng Dr. Xia Jin