Thoracotomy is an open surgical technique in which allowing visualization of the inside of the thorax. During this surgery, an incision in patient's chest wall is made between the ribs and some muscles important for respiration are cutted to remove a part of lung.

6-minute stepper test were used to assess functional exercise capacity according to the guidelines. The height of the stepper used for test was 20 cm. A cycle of up and down was define as one step. The number of steps was recorded for analysis.

Total energy expenditure (joules/day), active energy expenditure (>3.0 metabolic equivalents (METs)) (joules/day), physical activity duration (>3.0 METs) (min/day), average MET (METs/day), number of steps (steps/day), lying down (min/day) and sleeping duration (min/day) were measured to interpret the physical activity level of the patients via metabolic holter device. The metabolic holter was worn over triceps brachii muscle of non-dominant extremity for two consecutive days. The patients' activity level were categorized according to number of steps and average MET sums.

Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) was performed to evaluate respiratory muscle strength. Evaluation was done by using portable mouth pressure device accordance with the guidelines. The MEP was measured from total lung capacity after maximal inspiration. The measurements were repeated at least seven times for technically acceptable value.

Shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion, elbow extension, quadriceps femoris muscle strength and hand grip strength were evaluated using a hand held dynamometer. The measurements of each muscle were repeated bilaterally three times.

Inspiratory muscle endurance test were performed using respiratory muscle trainer (POWERbreathe) according to incremental threshold loading test protocol. The endurance test was started at thirty percentage of MIP and each two minutes the load of test was increased by ten percentage of MIP. The highest percentage of MIP could be reached and sustained for at least 1 min was defined as maximal load and time were recorded for analysis.

This scale was used to evaluate dyspnea and fatigue perception during 6-minute walk test and 6-minute stepper test. It was scored between 0 and 10. The lowest value was 0 which was meant no dyspnea or fatigue and the highest value was 10 which was meant worse and severe dyspnea and fatigue.

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 version3.0 (Turkish version of scale) were used. The questionnaire comprise of 30 items in which five scales and several single items are graded from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much) except for 29-30 items. All scales and items' scores are expressed by transforming to a 0-100 scale. Higher values except symptom scale represent higher quality of life. The minimum value was '0' and the maximum value was '100'. The highest value was meant better quality of life. The highest value for symptom scale was meant worse symptom.

Fatigue severity scale (Turkish version of scale) were applied. This one-dimensional scale compose of nine items scored between 1 (completely disagree) and 7 (completely agree). The minimum total value was 7 and the maximum total value was 63. The cut-off value for severe fatigue was 36 and the highest total value is meant severe fatigue.

The Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale were performed to determine dyspnea perception during daily living activities. This categorical scale consisting of five expressions are scored from '0' to '4'. The minimum value was 0 which means no complain about dyspnea apart from strenuous exercise; the maximum value was 4 which means too breathless for leaving the house or dyspnea while getting dressed. The highest value was refered to severe shortness of breath during activities of daily living.

To evaluate pain severity, visual analog scale were used. The minimum value was 0 mm (no pain) and the maximum value was 100 mm (worst pain). The highest score was 100 mm which was meant worse pain severity.