ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and surgical approach on postoperative fast track recovery and hospitalization cost of patients undergoing lung cancer resection, and explore clinical pathways and clinical value of fast track recovery. MethodClinical data of 129 consecutive patients undergoing lung cancer resection by one surgical group in West China Hospital from January 2010 to March 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the patients had concomitant COPD, all the patients were divided into COPD group including 53 patients (39 males and 14 females) with their average age of 56.31±10.51 years, and non-COPD group including 76 patients (37 males and 39 females) with their average age of 65.92±7.85 years. According to different surgical approaches, all the patients were divided into complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group including 83 patients (44 males and 39 females) with their average age of 61.62±10.80 years, and routine thoracotomy group including 46 patients (32 males and 14 females) with their average age of 62.95±9.97 years. Postoperative morbidity, average hospital stay and hospitalization cost were compared between respective groups. ResultsThere was no statistical difference in postoperative morbidity (53% vs. 40%, P=0.134)or average hospital stay[(7.66±2.95) days vs. (7.36±2.74)days, P=0.539] between COPD group and non-COPD group. Postoperative morbidity (34% vs. 65%, P < 0.001)and average hospital stay[(6.67±2.52)days vs. (8.61±3.01) days, P < 0.001] of VATS group were significantly lower or shorter than those of routine thoracotomy group. Total hospitalization cost (￥44 542.26±11 447.50 yuan vs. ￥23 634.13±6 014.35 yuan, P < 0.001) and material cost (￥37 352.53±11 807.81 yuan vs. ￥12 763.08±7 124.76 yuan, P < 0.001) of VATS group were significantly higher than those of routine thoracotomy group. Average medication cost of VATS group was significantly lower than that of routine thoracotomy group (￥7 473.54±4 523.70 vs. ￥10 176.71±6 371.12, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in other cost between VATS group and routine thoracotomy group. ConclusionVATS lobectomy can promote postoperative fast track recovery of lung cancer patients, but also increase material cost of the surgery. COPD history does not influence postoperative fast track recovery or hospitalization cost.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) sympathectomy under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) and local anesthesia (LA) without endotracheal intubation as a new fast track recovery surgical strategy for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. MethodsA total of 124 patients with intermediate or severe hyperhidrosis who were admitted to Guangdong General Hospital were enrolled in this study. With SPSS18 random number generator, all the patients were divided into MAC+LA group and general anesthesia (GA) group with 62 patients in each group. There were 43 males and 19 females in MAC+LA group with their age of 22.25±6.22 years, and 42 males and 20 females in GA group with their age of 23.98±6.67 years. During the surgery, MAC+LA group patients received MAC and oxygen via nasal tube or face mask instead of endotracheal intubation, and GA group patients received GA, endotracheal intubation and controlled ventilation. Clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsAll the patients received their operations safely. None of MAC+LA group patients received conversion to GA and controlled ventilation. There was statistical difference in operation time (47.18±12.06 minutes vs. 39.33±13.21 minutes, P=0.002) and length of theatre stay 84.52±22.56 minutes vs. 134.68±26.12 minutes, P=0.000) between MAC+LA and GA group patients. There was no statistical difference in blood loss, incidence of intraoperative SpO2 lower than 95% (2 patients vs. 0 patient), postoperative hospital stay, incidence of postoperative compensatory sweating (86.5% vs. 89.0%) and patient satisfaction rate (94.59% vs.95.12%) between the 2 groups. No intraoperative pain, postoperative complication or symptom recurrence was observed in either group. There was statistical difference in anesthetic preparation time (20.52±10.55 minutes vs. 36.47±12.16 minutes), duration between operation finish and returning to ward (11.26±7.09 minutes vs. 59.39±19.89) minutes and hospitalization cost (RMB 6 376.86±746.00 yuan vs. RMB 8 812.04±867.93 yuan) between the 2 groups. The incidence of postoperative sore throat (0% vs. 100%), monitor time (4 hours vs. 12 hours) and time to resume oral intake (2 hours vs. 6 hours) of MAC+LA group were significantly lower or shorter than those of GA group. ConclusionVATS sympathectomy under MAC and LA can avoid complications of GA and endotracheal intubation, and provide a safe, feasible, effective and more minimally invasive fast track alternative for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.