Does Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Warrant Fast Tracking of Thoracic Surgical Patients?

This article evaluates the advantages of fast-tracking the patient who has undergone video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery instead of open thoracotomy. Key issues such as chest tube and air leak management, pain medicine protocols, psychologic advantages, and hospital length of stay are examined. It concludes that teaching, philosophy, and doctor and patient attitude may be more important than the type of surgery performed.