The 30- Versus 90-Day Operative Mortality After Pulmonary Resection

A significant number of patients die after discharge within 90 days after pulmonary resection. The most common causes of death at home are “sudden death” and are more common in patients with a history of coronary artery disease. These patients may benefit from more diligent postoperative care. A prospective database with calls to patients and families is required to accurately obtain this information and to establish true outcomes. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database as well as nonsurgical databases that show efficacies of medical therapy for specific ailments should consider adding 90-day mortality results.