Lobar shifting after lobectomy other than left upper lobectomy has a beneficial impact on postoperative pulmonary function

Purpose Occasionally, lobes displace after lobectomy, which is referred to as "lobar shifting". This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lobar shifting on postoperative pulmonary function. Methods We analyzed the records of 761 patients who underwent lobectomy between 2012 and 2022. The patients were categorized based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) images into those with (shift group: n = 510) and those without (non-shift group: n = 251) their postoperative subject bronchus shifting toward the head or dorsal side. The preservation rate of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0) was compared between the two groups. Several factors were investigated to identify the cause of lobar shifting. Results FEV1.0 preservation rates, excluding left upper lobectomy, were significantly better in the shift group than in the non-shift group (all patients: 87.9% vs. 84.9%, p < 0.001; right upper lobectomy: 90.1% vs. 85.4%, p = 0.002; right lower lobectomy: 90.0% vs. 84.5%, p = 0.002; left upper lobectomy: 82.0% vs. 83.9%, p = 0.43; left lower lobectomy: 90.0% vs. 85.2%, p = 0.01). Factors that correlated with lobar shifting included age (p < 0.001), adhesions (p < 0.001), and lobulation (p = 0.001). Conclusions Lobar shifting may benefit postoperative pulmonary function, excluding after left upper lobectomy. Morphological factors contribute to lobar shifting.