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MONDAY, June 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (AVATS) is a safe and feasible technique for patients with poor lung function and lung cancer, according to a study presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, held from April 28 to May 1 in San Diego.<\/p>\n
Ara Klijian, M.D., from Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, Calif., described outcomes for 246 patients with lung cancer who underwent AVATS.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that the length of stay for lobectomy via AVATS was 1.6 days, even in patients with a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) under 0.6. Multiple comorbidities were reported in these patients, including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and hepatic and\/or renal dysfunction. Two hundred three of the 246 patients undergoing resection had FEV1 <0.8. In order to minimize nosocomial infections, postoperative care was streamlined to minimize central line and arterial, urinal, and epidural catheter use. Better patient satisfaction was reported with AVATS.<\/p>\n
“By eliminating the need for endotracheal intubation and the comorbidity associated with general anesthesia, the AVATS procedure brings new, previously considered inoperable patients into the surgical arena,” Klijian said in a statement. “My long-term data have shown that this approach has better outcomes than traditional lung surgery with this select group of patients. It also reduces risks of hospital-acquired infection, as outpatient postoperative care minimizes the use of catheters.”<\/p>\n
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