John Paul Lemchak
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, USA
Publications
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Research Article
The Effect of Regional Anesthesia on Pulmonary Complications after Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Author(s): Jake Belli*, Grant Weiderman, Philopateer Messeha, John Paul Lemchak and Stefanie Vallancourt
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are relatively uncommon following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), but their occurrence is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. One of the primary focuses of decreasing pulmonary complications is adequately controlling pain to facilitate effective ventilation and pulmonary hygiene. Regional anesthesia is commonly utilized in VATS to sufficiently control pain, but their effects on PPCs have widely conflicting results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the relative risk of developing PPCs after receiving regional anesthesia and general anesthesia compared to general anesthesia alone. A total of ten studies and 1043 patients were included. There was a 68% relative risk reduction of developing pneumonia in patients who received regional anesthesia and general anesthesia compared to general ane.. Read More»