Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center

IntroductionAwake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (A-VATS) has gained increasing attention as an alternative to classical intubated VATS (I-VATS), particularly in patients with comorbidities that have increased the risk of surgery under general anesthesia. This study aimed to compare the periop...

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Main Authors: Omer Faruk Saglam, Burcu Kilic, Merve Ekinci Fidan, Nevzat Cem Sayilgan, H. Volkan Kara, Akif Turna, Kamil Kaynak, Ezel Ersen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Surgery
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1635663/full
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author Omer Faruk Saglam
Burcu Kilic
Merve Ekinci Fidan
Nevzat Cem Sayilgan
H. Volkan Kara
Akif Turna
Kamil Kaynak
Ezel Ersen
author_facet Omer Faruk Saglam
Burcu Kilic
Merve Ekinci Fidan
Nevzat Cem Sayilgan
H. Volkan Kara
Akif Turna
Kamil Kaynak
Ezel Ersen
author_sort Omer Faruk Saglam
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAwake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (A-VATS) has gained increasing attention as an alternative to classical intubated VATS (I-VATS), particularly in patients with comorbidities that have increased the risk of surgery under general anesthesia. This study aimed to compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent A-VATS vs. I-VATS for pleural diseases.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent A-VATS (n = 22) and I-VATS (n = 37) for pleural diseases between July 2015 and March 2023 at a single tertiary step medical center. Patients considered unsuitable or at high risk for I-VATS due to anesthetic risk or comorbidities were allocated to the A-VATS group. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, risk scores, spirometry results, surgical outcomes, anesthesia satisfaction, surgical and other complications, and laboratory parameters were analyzed.ResultsA-VATS had significantly lower NRS scores at all postoperative timepoints (1, 12, 48 h; p < 0.01) and reduced NSAID use (p = 0.04), whereas opioid use was similar between the groups. The incidence of postoperative atelectasis was higher in the I-VATS group (p < 0.001). Earlier oral intake, mobilization, and return of bowel function were observed in the A-VATS group (all values compared were p < 0.001). Although the hospital stay was longer in the A-VATS group (5.0 vs. 2.0 days; p = 0.01), there was no difference in hospitalization costs between the groups (p > 0.05). There was no difference in the overall complication rates (p > 0.05). Hematological and biochemical parameter changes were similar between the groups.ConclusionsA-VATS is a potential feasible alternative in appropriate patients who have a higher risk with I-VATS. A-VATS offers favorable outcomes in terms of postoperative pain control and better recovery so may replace I-VATS. However, its use requires careful patient selection and perioperative planning due to the occurrence of severe complications in some cases. Prospective randomized, patient matched larger and multiple study groups are needed and in our future plan to confirm these findings and optimize the perioperative and postoperative protocols for A-VATS.
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spelling doaj-art-24cae1a4cacd46348a2a992e465a64132025-08-20T03:50:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Surgery2296-875X2025-07-011210.3389/fsurg.2025.16356631635663Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary centerOmer Faruk Saglam0Burcu Kilic1Merve Ekinci Fidan2Nevzat Cem Sayilgan3H. Volkan Kara4Akif Turna5Kamil Kaynak6Ezel Ersen7Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, TürkiyeIntroductionAwake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (A-VATS) has gained increasing attention as an alternative to classical intubated VATS (I-VATS), particularly in patients with comorbidities that have increased the risk of surgery under general anesthesia. This study aimed to compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent A-VATS vs. I-VATS for pleural diseases.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent A-VATS (n = 22) and I-VATS (n = 37) for pleural diseases between July 2015 and March 2023 at a single tertiary step medical center. Patients considered unsuitable or at high risk for I-VATS due to anesthetic risk or comorbidities were allocated to the A-VATS group. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, risk scores, spirometry results, surgical outcomes, anesthesia satisfaction, surgical and other complications, and laboratory parameters were analyzed.ResultsA-VATS had significantly lower NRS scores at all postoperative timepoints (1, 12, 48 h; p < 0.01) and reduced NSAID use (p = 0.04), whereas opioid use was similar between the groups. The incidence of postoperative atelectasis was higher in the I-VATS group (p < 0.001). Earlier oral intake, mobilization, and return of bowel function were observed in the A-VATS group (all values compared were p < 0.001). Although the hospital stay was longer in the A-VATS group (5.0 vs. 2.0 days; p = 0.01), there was no difference in hospitalization costs between the groups (p > 0.05). There was no difference in the overall complication rates (p > 0.05). Hematological and biochemical parameter changes were similar between the groups.ConclusionsA-VATS is a potential feasible alternative in appropriate patients who have a higher risk with I-VATS. A-VATS offers favorable outcomes in terms of postoperative pain control and better recovery so may replace I-VATS. However, its use requires careful patient selection and perioperative planning due to the occurrence of severe complications in some cases. Prospective randomized, patient matched larger and multiple study groups are needed and in our future plan to confirm these findings and optimize the perioperative and postoperative protocols for A-VATS.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1635663/fullawake video-assisted thoracic surgeryminimally invasive thoracic surgery pleural diseasepleural effusionspontaneous respirationpleural disease
spellingShingle Omer Faruk Saglam
Burcu Kilic
Merve Ekinci Fidan
Nevzat Cem Sayilgan
H. Volkan Kara
Akif Turna
Kamil Kaynak
Ezel Ersen
Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center
Frontiers in Surgery
awake video-assisted thoracic surgery
minimally invasive thoracic surgery pleural disease
pleural effusion
spontaneous respiration
pleural disease
title Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center
title_full Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center
title_fullStr Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center
title_full_unstemmed Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center
title_short Awake versus intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease: a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center
title_sort awake versus intubated video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleural disease a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary center
topic awake video-assisted thoracic surgery
minimally invasive thoracic surgery pleural disease
pleural effusion
spontaneous respiration
pleural disease
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1635663/full
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