title: [Fast track in thoracic surgery].
abstract: Patients undergoing thoracic surgery are threatened by pulmonary complications such as pneumonia and atelectasis. Age, preoperative FEV(1), operative time and extent of resection are predictors for adverse outcome. Reported morbidity after lung resection is as high as 42% and mortality up to 7%. Fast track in thoracic surgery aims at reducing morbidity and mortality rates after lung resection by introducing specific measures into the pre-, intra- and postoperative periods. Basic fast track elements in thoracic surgery are smoking cessation, preoperative physiotherapy, micronutrient supplementation, high thoracic epidural anesthesia, fluid restriction, early mobilization and enteral feeding. The effectiveness of these individual measures has been proven of value in perioperative care, however, evidence on multimodal therapy regimens in thoracic surgery is limited. In particular it remains to be elucidated which patients should be fast tracked in order to improve outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie, Universität Ulm, Steinhövelstrasse 9, Ulm, Germany. bernd.muehling@uniklinik-ulm.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mühling
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Orend
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sunder-Plassmann
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings / Q000191:economics; D004434:Early Ambulation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000191:economics; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000191:economics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015996:Survival Rate; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics