Our Summary

This research paper is about the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD), which is the biggest and most reliable database in the world for chest surgery. This database provides hospitals with updated reports on their performance and helps them improve their quality of service every year. In 2018, the way they collect data was improved to get the most important information without overloading the people managing the data. They also created a new quality measure for all lung cancer surgeries and checked how less invasive surgical methods affected their model. The accuracy of the 2018 database was found to be between 92.5% and 98.4%. In 2019, they plan to make the database more widely applicable, start public reporting of esophagus surgery outcomes, and develop customizable real-time dashboards. This paper reviews all the national results, quality measures, and improvement initiatives of the STS GTSD in the last year.

FAQs

  1. What is the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD)?
  2. What were the key changes made to the STS GTSD Data Collection Form in 2018?
  3. What plans does the STS GTSD Task Force have for improving the database in 2019?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about thoracic surgery is to follow all pre-operative instructions provided by your healthcare team, such as fasting before surgery, avoiding certain medications, and quitting smoking if applicable. It is also important to discuss any concerns or questions you may have with your healthcare provider before the procedure. After surgery, following post-operative care instructions, such as taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments, and engaging in recommended physical activity, can help promote a successful recovery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for thoracic surgery include those with lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, pleural diseases, chest wall tumors, and other thoracic conditions that require surgical intervention. Thoracic surgery may be recommended for patients who have failed to respond to other treatments or for those who have a high likelihood of benefiting from surgical intervention. Additionally, patients who are deemed fit for surgery and have a good performance status may be recommended for thoracic surgery.

Timeline

Before Thoracic Surgery:

  • Patient consults with thoracic surgeon to discuss surgical options and risks
  • Patient undergoes preoperative testing such as blood work, imaging studies, and pulmonary function tests
  • Patient may undergo a prehabilitation program to optimize physical condition before surgery

After Thoracic Surgery:

  • Patient is monitored closely in the intensive care unit or surgical ward immediately after surgery
  • Patient may require pain management, physical therapy, and respiratory therapy to aid in recovery
  • Patient is discharged from the hospital once stable, but may require follow-up appointments and rehabilitation
  • Long-term follow-up may include imaging studies and surveillance for recurrence or complications

Overall, the patient’s journey before and after thoracic surgery involves thorough evaluation, careful preparation, and ongoing support to ensure successful outcomes and recovery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the risks and benefits of thoracic surgery for my specific condition?
  2. How many thoracic surgeries have you performed and what is your success rate?
  3. What is the expected recovery time and rehabilitation process after thoracic surgery?
  4. Will I need any additional treatments or follow-up care after the surgery?
  5. What are the potential complications or side effects of thoracic surgery?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider besides surgery?
  7. How long will I need to stay in the hospital after thoracic surgery?
  8. Will I need any special accommodations or lifestyle changes after the surgery?
  9. What is the long-term outlook or prognosis for my condition after thoracic surgery?
  10. Are there any specific questions or concerns I should discuss with other healthcare providers before undergoing thoracic surgery?

Reference

Authors: Seder CW, Magee MJ, Broderick SR, Brown LM, Blasberg JD, Kozower BD, Fernandez FG, Welsh RJ, Gaissert HA, Burfeind WR, Becker S, Raymond DP. Journal: Ann Thorac Surg. 2019 May;107(5):1302-1306. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.02.027. Epub 2019 Mar 19. PMID: 30898564