Myasthenia Gravis, Mediastinal Goiter, and Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

paravertebral blocks, intravenous nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medicines, and opioids. We have found epidural catheters to be beneficial for patients with chronic pain syndromes and these are placed in the preoperative holding area and therefore do not affect overall operating room time. In summary, the goal should be to try to decrease the overall costs of procedures such as thoracoscopic lobectomies without jeopardizing patient care and outcomes. We have developed a multidisciplinary group of surgeons, nurses, social workers, and respiratory therapy technicians to try to streamline the postoperative care of our patients and reduce overall hospital stay and costs. This has enabled us to develop formal pathways to direct changes and increase the efficiency of our postoperative care.