Use of preoperative placement of mini-midline catheters in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection

Patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection require reliable venous access for perioperative care. Conventional peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) often lead to repeated insertions and complications. This study evaluated the clinical benefits of preoperative mini-midline catheter placement as an alternative. In this quasi-experimental study, 80 patients were allocated to receive either a preoperative mini-midline catheter (intervention group) or conventional PIVCs (control group). The primary outcomes were preoperative preparation time, number of catheter placements, and incidence of complication-related removals. Patient-reported outcomes regarding procedural pain, anxiety, and satisfaction were also assessed. The intervention group demonstrated a significantly shorter median preoperative preparation time (50.5 min vs. 65 min, P = 0.008) and required fewer catheter placements (median 1 vs. 3, P < 0.001). In this study, no catheters in the intervention group required removal due to complications, compared to six in the control group (P = 0.034). Patients receiving mini-midlines also reported significantly lower anxiety (P = 0.002) and higher satisfaction (P = 0.003). Preoperative mini-midline catheter placement streamlines preoperative workflow, reduces catheterization burden and complications, and improves the patient experience. These findings support its integration into standard preoperative care for thoracoscopic lung resection to enhance both clinical efficiency and patient-centered outcomes.