Study on Causes of Longer Hospital Stay After Minimally Invasive Anatomical Lung Surgery Using Video or Robot Assistance

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating why some patients stay in the hospital longer than usual after undergoing thoracoscopic video- or robot-assisted anatomical lung resections. These minimally invasive procedures are preferred when possible because they tend to reduce postoperative pain, complications, and hospital stay length. The study aims to better understand the causes of prolonged hospital stays despite the use of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ERAS protocol, which improves recovery and reduces opioid use after lung surgery. The study focuses on patients receiving thoracoscopic anatomical lung resections with perioperative care following the ERAS protocol. This includes both uniportal and multiportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS or robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery RATS for lobectomy or segmentectomy. All patients receive care aimed at optimizing recovery after surgery. Participants will be monitored from surgery until hospital discharge, about one week on average, with follow-up up to three months. Researchers will track hospital stay length, reasons for delayed discharge beyond two days, and the number and severity of postoperative complications. Daily questionnaires and medical record reviews will help identify factors contributing to longer hospital stays, supporting improvements in lung surgery recovery.

Prolonged Hospital Stay After Thoracoscopic Anatomical Lung Resections