Precise anesthesia in thoracoscopic operations

The current review focuses on precise anesthesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with the goal of enhanced recovery.

VATS has become an established and widely used minimally invasive approach with broad implementation on a variety of thoracic operations. In the current environment of enhanced recovery protocols and cost containment, minimally invasive VATS operations suggest adoption of individualized tailored, precise anesthesia. In addition to a perfect lung collapse for surgical interventions with adequate oxygenation during one lung ventilation, anesthesia goals include a rapid, complete recovery with adequate postoperative analgesia leading to early discharge and minimized costs related to postoperative inpatient services. The components and decisions related to precise anesthesia are reviewed and discussed including: letting patients remain awake versus general anesthesia, whether the patient should be intubated or not, operating with or without muscle relaxation, whether to use different separation devises, operating with different local and regional blocks and monitors.

The determining factors in designing a precise anesthesic for VATS operations involve consensus on patients' tolerance of the associated side effects, the best practice or techniques for surgery and anesthesia, the required postoperative support, and the care team's experience.