F-112 * PERFORMING VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACOSCOPIC LOBECTOMIES IN LUNG CANCER PATIENTS REDUCES ONE-YEAR HOSPITAL ADMITTANCE

Objectives: Performing lobectomies by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) reduces postoperative in-hospital-stay for lung cancer patients compared to standard operations through a thoracotomy. It is unknown if the less invasive approach is also beneficial after the patients have been discharged from the hospital. The aim of this study was to explore hospital admissions in the first year after lobectomy for lung cancer. Methods: This regional study included all patients who had a lobectomy due to lung cancer from 2005 to 2011. Demographic patient data and data regarding type of operation, lung function, lung cancer stage, comorbidity, and in-hospital stay were collected prospectively in a national cancer database. Retrospectively, all patients were looked up in a national database containing complete information about all hospital admissions and in-hospital days were registered. Baseline data were compared using Pearson Chi-square (categorical data) and independent samples t-tests (continuous data) as appropriate. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore predictors for hospital admissions. Results: A total of 1390 patients were operated in seven years; 789 by VATS and 601 through a thoracotomy. Patients operated by VATS were older (P < 0.001), had a lower cancer stage (P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of adenocarcinomas (P < 0.001) than patients who had a thoracotomy. Gender distribution, lung function and comorbidity were not significantly different in the two groups. During the first year following initial discharge from the hospital the patients spent 7.4 (SD 13.7) and 10.2 (SD 17.4) days in a hospital for VATS lobectomies and thoracotomies respectively (P = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that cancer stage and comorbidity were the best predictors for hospital admissions. However, after adjusting for confounders, VATS patients still had lower odds for hospital re-admission compared to thoracotomy patients (OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.62-1.02). Conclusions: VATS lobectomy for lung cancer results in fewer admissions during the first year after the operation. Disclosure: H.J. Hansen R.H. Petersen are speakers for Covidien.