420 Thoracic Physiotherapy Requirements in Anatomical Lung Resections

Abstract

Abstract Objective Consideration of the effectiveness of thoracic physiotherapy interventions in anatomical lung resections. Method Prospective cohort of 119 anatomical lung resections and assessment of physiotherapy interventions in a busy teaching hospital over a 6-month period. Results 119 patients were included, with median age of 69 (28–89). There was no obvious difference between genders (F: 52% vs M: 48%). 56% were assessed to be of performance status 0. Most were resections for adenocarcinoma (48%) and squamous cell carcinoma (10%). 61% were resected by VATS and 39% through other approaches (including open thoracotomies). A minority had no comorbidities (18%), with hypertension (41%) and previous solid tumours (33%) being most common. Average length of stay was 4 days for the cohort (3.4 for VATS and 4.9 for others). The average length of stay for patients who were seen day 1 post-op on a weekend is 4.4 (vs 5.1 if there were not seen on day 1). This is also in contrast with the average length of stay of 3.5 days if they were seen day 1 post-op on a weekday, as opposed to 4 days of average stay if they were not seen. The biggest barrier to closing this discrepancy remains weekend physiotherapy staffing. Conclusion We found that elective thoracic patients are more likely to have a reduced length of stay when reviewed day 1 post-op. This highlights the need for potential service developments within our weekend and Level 2/3 elective thoracic caseloads to optimise our care.