[Analysis of the results of a short-stay thoracic surgery program (2001-2005)]

A short-stay thoracic surgery program was implemented and a prospective study was initiated to evaluate its results.

To analyze the results of the short-stay thoracic surgery program.

The results of 350 procedures (283 lobectomies and 67 pneumonectomies) performed between 2001 and 2005 were analyzed. The variables analyzed were: a) mean length of stay, b) mortality, c) complications, and d) readmission rate.

The mean length of postoperative stay was 5.8 +/- 2.8 days for lobectomy and 5.36 +/- 1.8 days for pneumonectomy. Mortality was 3.5% in lobectomy and 3% in pneumonectomy. Complications occurred in 17.3% of lobectomies and 23.8% of pneumonectomies. The readmission rate was 7%.

The results obtained show that, as expected, the short-stay thoracic surgery program reduces the mean length of hospital stay. Moreover, this program is safe, since mortality and morbidity were lower than or similar to the mean and the readmissions rate was similar to the national average. These results have encouraged us to continue the program started in 1998.