Outcomes Following Omission of Daily Routine Chest Radiographs Following Pulmonary Resection

A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study Looking at Differences in Hospital Stay Variables Following Omission of Daily Routine Chest Radiographs After Pulmonary Resection.

Currently, it is the standard of care practice to perform daily routine CXR when a chest tube is in situ following pulmonary resection. However, previous research as well as experience of thoracic surgeons suggested this kind of management has poor diagnostic and therapeutic value. Eliminating daily routine CXR for adult patients having undergone pulmonary surgery might decrease the frequency of radiation exposure and hospitalization costs per patient without increasing reintervention rates, length of hospital stays, readmission rates or any adverse events.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult males or females who plan to receive VATS pulmonary resections confined to lobectomies, segmentectomies and wedge resections.
• Willingness to adhere to randomized treatment.
• Ability to answer self- and interviewer- administered questions in English
• Understand and sign a written informed consent form in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous thoracic surgery history in the same side.
• Exploration, biopsy, lung volume reduction surgeries (LVRS), bilobectomies, sleeve resections or pneumonectomies performed.