Care for the patient recovering from lung reduction surgery

Question 12 from the first paper of 2000 asks: "Outline your postoperative management plan for a patient  who has just -returned from the operating theatre after undergoing bilateral thoracoscopic lung reduction for emphysema".

This question can be generalised to any patient with a bilateral thoracoscopic lung resection.

(of course, the bilateral open lung resection is an entirely different animal - apparently the approach is usually through a sternotomy, at least in the former Soviet Union).

A great LITFL article on the topic of lung reduction surgery presents up to date information regarding the patient selection process and appropriate work-up.

A generic-looking systematic approach to the post-operative management of the bilateral lung reduction surgery patient can be found in the discussion of Question 12. The core of this brief summary will focus on idiosyncratic features of this procedure, rather than the bog-standard ICU supportive care. Yes, they will get some TEDs and ulcer prophylaxis, but that is not exciting or special. Yes, vigorous physiotherapy and early mobilisation is recommended, but ... when is it not recommended?

Key issues in the care of the patient recovering from lung reduction surgery

Early extubation

• These people should progress to spontaneous breathing as soon as possible.
• A major reason why early post-op extubation might be impossible is post-operative hypothermia and shivering: the increased CO₂ production may result in a prohibitively high ventilatory demand.

Patient position

• As close as possible to upright positioning is ideal
• This is purely to improve lung mechanics

Analgesia

• A thoracic epidural would be ideal
• PCA is a poor second

Chest drain management

• There will inevitably be some pneumothorax post-op, and there will inevitably be chest drains. There will also be an air leak in something like 90% of patients.
• These should be set to underwater seal only, rather than suction.
• Suction should be avoided unless the pneumothorax is truly massive.
• Avoidance of suction promotes decreased rates of bronchopleural fistula.

Neutral fluid balance

• These people are for a number of reasons at a greater risk of ALI.
• A recent review of the evidence recommends a perioperative positive fluid balance of no greater than 1.5L