Early discharge after thoracoscopic anatomical pulmonary resection for non-small-cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES: Although video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has shortened hospitalization duration for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, the factors associated with early discharge remain unclear. This study aimed to identify patients eligible for a 72-h stay after VATS anatomical resection. METHODS: Monocentric retrospective study including all consecutive patients undergoing VATS anatomical resection for NSCLC between February 2010 and December 2019. Two groups were defined according to the discharge: 'early discharge' (within 72 postoperative hours) and 'routine discharge' (at >72 postoperative hours). RESULTS: A total of 660 patients with a median age of 66.5 years (interquartile range 60-73 years) (female/male: 321/339) underwent VATS anatomical pulmonary resection for NSCLC [segmentectomy in 169 (25.6%), lobectomy in 481 (72.9%), bilobectomy in 8 (1.2%) and pneumonectomy in 2 (0.3%) patients]. The cardiopulmonary and Clavien-Dindo III-IV postoperative complication rates were 32.6% and 7.7%, respectively. The median postoperative length of stay was 6 days (interquartile range 4-10 days). In total, 119 patients (18%) could be discharged within 72 h of surgery. On multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with an increased likelihood of early discharge were: body mass index >20 kg/m(2) [odds ratio (OR) 2.37], absence of prior cardiopathy (OR 2), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide >60% (OR 1.82), inclusion in an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol (OR 2.23), use of a single chest tube (OR 5.73) and postoperative transfer to the ward (OR 4.84). Factors significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of early discharge were: age >60 years (OR 0.53), American Society of Anaesthesiologists score >2 (OR 0.46) and use of an epidural catheter (OR 0.41). Readmission rates were not statistically different between both groups (5.9% vs 3.1%; P= 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Age, pulmonary functions and comorbidities may influence discharge after VATS anatomical resection. The early discharge does not increase readmission rates.