TY - JOUR
T1 - Routinely obtained chest X-rays after elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be omitted in most patients
T2 - a retrospective, observational study
AU - Bjerregaard, Lars S
AU - Jensen, Katrine
AU - Petersen, René Horsleben
AU - Hansen, Henrik Jessen
PY - 2015/8/18
Y1 - 2015/8/18
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the use of routinely obtained chest X-rays is necessary after elective VATS.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1097 chest X-rays obtained routinely after elective VATS, performed in patients aged over 15 years during an 18-month period. VATS procedures were divided into three groups according to the degree of pulmonary resection. The chest X-rays (obtained anterior-posterior in one plane with the patient in the supine position) were categorized as abnormal if showing pneumothorax >5 cm, possible intra-thoracic bleeding and/or a displaced chest tube. Medical charts were reviewed for all patients with abnormal chest X-rays to see if an intervention was made based on the X-ray. In case of an intervention, detailed clinical data were collected.RESULTS: 44 of 1097 chest X-rays (4.0 %) were abnormal and 10 of these X-rays (0.9 %) led to a clinical intervention. Proportions of abnormal chest X-rays were unequally distributed between groups (p < 0.001), whereas the number of interventions was not (p = 0.43). Of the ten chests X-rays that led to an intervention, three showed possible intra-thoracic bleeding, six showed pneumothorax >5 cm and one showed a kinked chest tube. All the patients with possible intra-thoracic bleeding were re-explored in the operating theatre the same day.CONCLUSIONS: Only 10 of 1097 chest X-rays (0.9 %) obtained routinely after elective VATS procedures led to a clinical intervention, supporting the abandon of routine chest X rays in favour of a more individualised approach, based on clinical observations.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the use of routinely obtained chest X-rays is necessary after elective VATS.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1097 chest X-rays obtained routinely after elective VATS, performed in patients aged over 15 years during an 18-month period. VATS procedures were divided into three groups according to the degree of pulmonary resection. The chest X-rays (obtained anterior-posterior in one plane with the patient in the supine position) were categorized as abnormal if showing pneumothorax >5 cm, possible intra-thoracic bleeding and/or a displaced chest tube. Medical charts were reviewed for all patients with abnormal chest X-rays to see if an intervention was made based on the X-ray. In case of an intervention, detailed clinical data were collected.RESULTS: 44 of 1097 chest X-rays (4.0 %) were abnormal and 10 of these X-rays (0.9 %) led to a clinical intervention. Proportions of abnormal chest X-rays were unequally distributed between groups (p < 0.001), whereas the number of interventions was not (p = 0.43). Of the ten chests X-rays that led to an intervention, three showed possible intra-thoracic bleeding, six showed pneumothorax >5 cm and one showed a kinked chest tube. All the patients with possible intra-thoracic bleeding were re-explored in the operating theatre the same day.CONCLUSIONS: Only 10 of 1097 chest X-rays (0.9 %) obtained routinely after elective VATS procedures led to a clinical intervention, supporting the abandon of routine chest X rays in favour of a more individualised approach, based on clinical observations.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Chest Tubes
KW - Elective Surgical Procedures/methods
KW - Equipment Failure
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Lung Diseases/diagnostic imaging
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Pneumothorax/diagnostic imaging
KW - Postoperative Care/methods
KW - Radiography, Thoracic/statistics & numerical data
KW - Retrospective Studies
KW - Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted/methods
U2 - 10.1007/s11748-015-0560-9
DO - 10.1007/s11748-015-0560-9
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 26007694
SN - 1863-6705
VL - 63
SP - 465
EP - 471
JO - General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
JF - General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
IS - 8
ER -