Fast-Tracking Patients Through the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pathways of Intrathoracic Conditions: The Role of Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Thorac Surg Clin. 2017 Nov;27(4):425-430. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2017.06.011.

Abstract

Fast-tracking patients in surgery has become standard in many hospitals. This allows for a shorter hospital stay and a complete organized pathway for treating patients. The operative trauma has an important role in the patient's recovery, as has the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures. In thoracic surgery, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) procedures are aimed at reducing the operative trauma. One of the latest developments of VATS is represented by the uniportal approach, whose purpose is to reduce postoperative pain and morbidity. This article reviews the current literature and the authors' experience in combining uniportal VATS technique and fast-track surgery.

Keywords: Fast-track pathway; Thoracic surgery; Uniportal VATS.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control
  • Pneumonectomy / adverse effects
  • Pneumonectomy / methods*
  • Postoperative Care / methods*
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / methods*