Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia
Published on: May 26, 2023
The Prognostic Nutritional Index predicts poor postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic
Jesús J Rosales-de la Rosa1, José B López-Martínez1, Andrea Escamilla-López1
1Departamento de Cirugía, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Background:
The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) as a prognostic tool for the postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing thoracic surgery due to an infectious etiology remains unexplored.
Objective:
To evaluate the PNI as predictor of poor postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for a thoracic infection.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective analysis in patients undergoing VATS during January 2019 to December 2023, including 61 patients. We performed a ROC curve analysis to identify the optimal PNI cut-off value to classify the patients into groups: A high (HR) and low-risk (LR) group. Chi-square, Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare them. A multivariate analysis with Cox regression was also performed.
Results:
The optimal PNI cut-off value was 28.69, with AUC 0.860 (p = 0.001), sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 78.8%. 42 patients were low-risk, while 19 high-risk. There was a significant difference in 30-day mortality between groups (HR 42% vs LR 2%, p < 0.001) as well as in 30-day major complications (HR 68% vs LR 16%, p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis revealed that PNI-based risk group was an independent predictor of mortality (p = 0.008) and major complications (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The PNI is a valid predictor of poor postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing VATS for a thoracic infection.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:26Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment