How to Prepare for Invasive Thoracic Surgery

You’ll have to do a lot of preparation before you go in for invasive thoracic surgery. Depending on the type of surgery, you’ll have to prepare for things like anesthesia, the anesthetic used, the chest tube that’s placed inside your body to drain the fluids, and how you’ll recover after the procedure. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself beforehand, such as stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) two days before the operation and smoking for a week before the operation.

Stop Taking NSAIDs 2 Days Before Surgery

The most effective way to ensure a quick recovery post-op is to ensure you have a full complement of pain relievers. Depending on the surgery, your doctor may prescribe you a cocktail of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or a combination of the two. If you have elective surgery at an outpatient facility, a brief phone call to your doctor is all it takes to fill the prescription. A preoperative regimen of a few high-dose tablets may be the best approach for a first-timer. During your post-op period, be sure to follow the physician’s instructions to a T. Having a small, light, portable medical kit on hand will go a long way toward ensuring your comfort on the day of your scheduled procedure.

Stop Smoking Two Weeks Before Surgery

Smoking is a major risk factor for postoperative complications during invasive thoracic surgery. It can increase the risk of heart problems, pneumonia, and infection. Besides, it can delay wound healing and result in terrible scarring. Surgeons like Armen Parajian often advise smoking cessation to patients at least two weeks before invasive thoracic surgery. A 50% decrease in wound complications results from giving up before surgery.

It is also difficult for smokers to quit. For this reason, some guidelines recommend stopping smoking for two to four weeks before surgery.

However, smokers have higher rates of postoperative complications than non-smokers. This is because the nicotine that is in cigarettes stays in the bloodstream for at least one to three days after the last cigarette.

Preparing for Anesthesia

Preparing for anesthesia for invasive thoracic surgery involves a variety of tasks. The surgeon must understand how to prepare the patient, and the anesthesiologist must know how to provide an anesthetic to the right patient at the right time.

A thoracic surgeon will work closely with an anesthesiologist to ensure that the patient is properly prepared for surgery and has a safe and painless procedure. While anesthesiologists are specialists in anesthesia, they also provide care to the patient after the surgery. They are trained to monitor the patient’s oxygenation, manage the oxygen and blood flow, and take care of the patient.

In the operating room, an anesthesiologist administers anesthesia and monitors vital functions. For minimally invasive thoracic operations, the lungs are isolated. This isolation is not necessarily required, but it does help prevent airway disruptions that could lead to adverse consequences.

Preparing for a Chest Tube

If you are scheduled to undergo invasive thoracic surgery, you might need to prepare for a chest tube. The procedure is a life-saving measure in many cases. However, it can also cause complications. Performing a chest tube insertion correctly is important to reduce morbidity and increase the quality of your recovery.

Before inserting a chest tube, it is important to assess the anatomy of your chest. Anatomical variations can lead to complications and a compromised post-procedural care plan.

Chest tubes are designed to drain excess fluid from the lungs. They are connected to a reservoir that prevents the fluid from returning. A reservoir should remain below the chest level to avoid leaks into the pleural cavity.

Recovering from Surgery

If you are having invasive thoracic surgery, you can expect a long recovery. Recovery depends on several factors, including the type of surgery and the patient’s condition. Your doctor can help you prepare for the procedure.

You will need to follow a postoperative care plan. It is important to learn what you can do to improve your recovery. For example, you should avoid smoking. This will decrease the risk of wound complications. Also, you will need to eat a healthy diet. You should drink lots of liquids and eat foods that contain plenty of proteins. Eat plenty of vegetables.

You will need to avoid lifting heavy objects. When you feel ready, you may start eating solid foods and drinking clear liquids.