Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of preserved inferior pulmonary ligament in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) upper lobectomy on persistent cough. Methods A total of 100 lung cancer patients were selected in this study from June 2017 to April 2018, according to the adopt standardization. All of the patients were divided into two groups:the division group and the preservation group according to the operation mode. The division group included 50 patients (19 left, 31 right), and the preservation group also included 50 patients (18 left, 32 right). Patients in two groups were investigated by Mandarin Chinese version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ-MC). The postoperative dead space ratio was analyzed between two groups. Results There was no significant difference in dead space ratio after surgery between two groups of patient. And different degrees of cough were found in two groups. In patients with left lung operation,the preoperative score of LCQ-MC was significantly higher than postoperative score, but there was no significant difference in postoperative score of LCQ-MC between the two groups (P > 0.05). In patients with right lung operation the postoperative score of LCQ-MC was significantly higher in the preservation group than that of the division group (P < 0.05), and cough were relieved in the preservation group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Preserved inferior pulmonary ligament in VATS right upper lobectomy can reduce the persistent cough after surgery.

Key words: lung neoplasm, pneumonectomy, cough, pulmonary ligament, Mandarin Chinese version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, dead space ratio