AVATS an option for lung cancer deemed inoperable

Editor's Note

Awake video assisted thoracic surgery (AVATS) performed with local anesthesia and sedation allows for resection of lung cancers previously deemed inoperable because of a patient’s poor pulmonary function, finds this study presented May 23 at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in San Diego.

For the study, 246 lung cancer patients had the AVATS procedure. Patient safety was not compromised, length of stay was shortened, and patient satisfaction was high.

Postoperative care was streamlined to minimize use of central lines as well as arterial, urinary, and epidural catheters to lower the risk of infection.

A total of 500 AVATS procedures have been performed at Sharp & Scripps Hospitals in San Diego without significant morbidity and mortality.