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Background: We investigated preoperative and postoperative TRPV1, bradykinin (BK), and prostaglandin e‐2 (PGE2) levels in patients who underwent lung cancer surgery and evaluated the correlations between these levels and the development of acute or chronic cough after surgery. Methods: We evaluated 60 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy at our center between August and October 2018. TRPV1, BK, and PGE2 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and postoperative cough was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: The postoperative serum TRPV1, BK, and PEG2 levels of the 60 patients were significantly higher than the preoperative levels (P < 0.001). Thirty‐five patients (58.3%) were diagnosed with acute cough (VAS ≥ 60 mm), and 25 were diagnosed with non‐acute cough (41.7%). Three days after surgery, the serum TRPV1, BK, and PGE2 levels were significantly higher in the acute cough group than in the non‐acute cough group (P < 0.001). Twenty‐two patients (36.7%) were diagnosed with chronic cough (VAS ≥ 60 mm), and 25 (62.3%) were diagnosed with non‐chronic cough. Eight weeks after surgery, the serum TRPV1, BK, and PGE2 levels were significantly higher in the chronic cough group than in the non‐chronic cough group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The postoperative TRPV1, BK and PGE2 levels were significantly higher than the preoperative levels. The TRPV1 level was also higher in patients with an acute or chronic cough than in patients without. Postoperative acute or chronic cough symptoms can be improved and alleviated by blocking the TRPV1 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, we investigated the relationship between chronic cough and clinicopathological features in postoperative patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy for the treatment of postoperative chronic cough in patients with NSCLC. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 171 patients with NSCLC who received lobectomy at our center between September 2017 and February 2018. The Mandarin Chinese version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ‐MC) was used to evaluate the degree of cough in patients. Postoperative cough was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: The total LCQ‐MC score for the whole group was 19.79 ± 0.53 before surgery and 18.40 ± 0.70 after surgery (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that right lung cancer, difficult airway, acute cough and history of COPD were independent predictors of chronic cough. Of the 68 patients diagnosed with chronic cough, 41 received acupuncture therapy (acupuncture therapy group), and 27 received no acupuncture therapy (no therapy group). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of their LCQ‐MC scores at eight weeks after surgery (p = 0.756). However, the acupuncture therapy group had a significantly higher LCQ‐MC score than the no therapy group at 10 weeks after surgery (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Right lung cancer, difficult airway, acute cough, and history of COPD are independent predictors of chronic cough after surgery. For patients with chronic cough, acupuncture therapy can shorten the recovery time and improve quality of life after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]