Factors Influencing Symptom Severity at Discharge after Lobectomy and Sublobar Resection Through Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Abstract

Objectives This study investigates factors affecting symptom severity at discharge in patients who have undergone lobectomy and sublobar resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary nodules, including both benign and malignant cases. Methods This retrospective analysis utilized data from a patient cohort in a randomized controlled trial at Zhongshan City People's Hospital. Symptom severity was assessed using the validated Perioperative Symptom Assessment for Lung Surgery questionnaire at 4 time points. Patients were grouped by discharge-day symptoms: Alert (scores >3) and No Alert. Symptom scores were further compared between pathology subgroups: lung cancer and benign/others. Mann-Whitney tests and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to compare symptom trajectories between groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with symptom severity at discharge. Results Two hundred and forty-three patients were included in the analysis. The Alert group showed slower postoperative symptom improvement compared to the No Alert group (P