BACKGROUND: The effects of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) pulmonary lobectomy on after-hospital care are not well known. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, 20 consecutive VATS cases were matched to 38 standard thoracotomies (open cases). RESULTS: Ages were 73.8 +/- 7.8 years with no initial differences between the groups. No hospital deaths occurred. Excluding 2 VATS and 6 open outliers, VATS cases had fewer hospital days (4.6 +/- 1.9 vs. 6.4 +/- 2.2, P <0.01), chest tube days (3.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.2 +/- 1.7, P = 0.01), and prolonged pain complaints (28% vs. 56%, P = 0.05). Transfer to care facilities or home nursing support was needed for 63% of open patients and only 20% of VATS patients (P = 0.015). Less personal care (10% vs. 21%), wound/medical care (0% vs. 13%), occupational/physical therapy (5% vs. 13%), or other home support (5% vs. 18%) was needed for VATS patients. CONCLUSIONS: In older populations, more independence and fewer resources after discharge favor VATS lobectomy over standard thoracotomy.
BACKGROUND: The effects of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) pulmonary lobectomy on after-hospital care are not well known. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, 20 consecutive VATS cases were matched to 38 standard thoracotomies (open cases). RESULTS: Ages were 73.8 +/- 7.8 years with no initial differences between the groups. No hospital deaths occurred. Excluding 2 VATS and 6 open outliers, VATS cases had fewer hospital days (4.6 +/- 1.9 vs. 6.4 +/- 2.2, P <0.01), chest tube days (3.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 4.2 +/- 1.7, P = 0.01), and prolonged pain complaints (28% vs. 56%, P = 0.05). Transfer to care facilities or home nursing support was needed for 63% of open patients and only 20% of VATS patients (P = 0.015). Less personal care (10% vs. 21%), wound/medical care (0% vs. 13%), occupational/physical therapy (5% vs. 13%), or other home support (5% vs. 18%) was needed for VATS patients. CONCLUSIONS: In older populations, more independence and fewer resources after discharge favor VATS lobectomy over standard thoracotomy.
Authors: Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang; Robert Ryan Meyerhoff; Nicholas Ryan Mayne; Terry Singhapricha; Christopher B Toomey; Paul J Speicher; Matthew G Hartwig; Betty C Tong; Mark W Onaitis; David H Harpole; Thomas A D'Amico; Mark F Berry Journal: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2015-12-30 Impact factor: 4.191
Authors: Selwyn O Rogers; Stacy W Gray; Mary Beth Landrum; Carrie N Klabunde; Katherine L Kahn; Robert H Fletcher; Steven Clauser; Diana Tisnado; William Doucette; Nancy L Keating Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2010-02-17 Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: Nabil P Rizk; Amanda Ghanie; Meier Hsu; Manjit S Bains; Robert J Downey; Inderpal S Sarkaria; David J Finley; Prasad S Adusumilli; James Huang; Camelia S Sima; Jack E Burkhalter; Bernard J Park; Valerie W Rusch Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2014-07-31 Impact factor: 4.330