Critical issues in early extubation and hospital discharge in thoracic oncology surgery

Of the 3,231 thoracic procedures performed between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1996, 8.9% of patients were ventilated postoperatively; 3.1% required an intensive care unit (ICU) stay of a median of 8 days. Of those patients admitted to the ICU, 29% died; 10% of patients requiring postoperative ventilation were subsequently admitted to the ICU. The majority of thoracic surgical patients are extubated at the end of the procedure. Those patients that are left intubated and go to the ICU have a higher mortality rate and a prolonged hospital stay.