title: Clinical pathway for thoracic surgery in the United States.
abstract: The paradigm for postoperative care for thoracic surgical patients in the United States has shifted with efforts to reduce hospital length of stay and improve quality of life. The increasing usage of minimally invasive techniques in thoracic surgery has been an important part of this. In this review we will examine our standard practices as well as the evidence behind both general contemporary postoperative care principles and those specific to certain operations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cerfolio
keywords: Thoracic surgery; fast track; postoperative care; protocol