Day case thoracic surgery

We often consider surgery to chest as a major procedure. However, we have made considerable progress over the last few years with better (single keyhole surgery) techniques, superior pain management and digital (second to second) monitoring of air leakage from the operation.

Many of my patients undergoing thoracic surgery have good pain control and do not require a chest drain, allow them to return home on the day of surgery. We have published the results of our first 100 patients in 2023 confirming the safety of drain removal immediately after surgery with less than 1% needing a drain to be put back in.[1]

I started this programme with minor chest operations in 2016 and today it if offered to major lung resections (day case lobectomy) that was first achieved by me in October 2024.

Currently, for most of my operation, you are seen in clinic beforehand and blood tests are taken and you have a telephone pre-admission interview. Then you come in on the morning of the procedure [usually before 7am] and once the operation is done, and you feel fine (you recovered well from the anaesthetic, your pain is under control) you will be allowed to go home on the day of surgery itself (without a drain, or with a drain if you feel comfortable).

Not all patients are suitable for day surgery, and you will need someone to bring you home and stay with you for the first night.

Do feel free to contact me if you would like to know more about this procedure.