[Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery in Local Anaesthesia and Analgosedation - a Survey of the Members of the German Society of Thoracic Surgeons].

Introduction: There is increasing international interest in the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures (VATS) with spontaneous respiration in the treatment of elderly and multimorbid patients. Data on the application and acceptance in Germany are not yet available.

Method: Germany-wide, online-based survey among the departments of thoracic surgery registered at the German Society of Thoracic Surgeons (DGT) on the application of VATS in local anaesthesia (LA).

Results: 101 of 157 hospitals responded (64%). 42% of the respondents perform non-intubated VATS (NIVATS), 31% VATS in LA. Reasons not to perform VATS in LA are lack of experience (51%), doubts about feasibility (29%) and missing indications (24%). Among the performing clinics, the most frequent procedures are pleural catheterisation (94%), pleural biopsy (87%) and pleurodesis (87%). 42% of the clinics perform wedge resections and 10% also anatomical resections in LA. Main target groups are multimorbid patients (77%), elderly patients (65%), patients with anxiety about general anaesthesia (55%) and patients with pre-existing lung diseases (52%). In 97% of the departments, sedation is performed by anaesthesiologists. The main technical difficulties mentioned are impaired view of the surgical field (39%), hypercapnia (29%) and panic attacks (23%). Pain is of minor importance (3%).

Discussion: About one third of the participating departments already perform VATS in LA; others have plans to introduce the method. The majority of respondents regard multimorbid, elderly and lung patients as the main target groups, as fewer inflammatory, respiratory and neurological complications are expected.