Thoracic Surgery Consultation Burden in the Intensive Care Unit: Differences Between Trauma and Non-Trauma Patients

Objectives: Thoracic surgery consultation is frequently required in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, the clinical characteristics and consultation burden of these patients have not been well defined. This study aimed to evaluate the profile and consultation burden of patients requiring thoracic surgery consultation in the ICU and to compare trauma and non-trauma populations.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 3,955 adult ICU patients hospitalized between January 2021 and December 2025. Patients were grouped according to thoracic surgery consultation status. Among consulted patients, trauma and non-trauma groups were identified and compared. Consultation burden was defined as the number of consultations per patient.
Results: Thoracic surgery consultation was requested in 695 patients (17.6%). Patients requiring consultation were younger and had longer ICU stays (p<0.001 for both), while mortality rates were similar (p=0.395). Among consulted patients, non-trauma patients were older and had higher mortality rates (61.1% vs. 29.0%, p<0.001). Consultation burden differed significantly. The median number of consultations was higher in non-trauma patients (2.0 vs. 1.0, p<0.001), whereas the mean number was higher in trauma patients, indicating a skewed distribution. Temporal analysis demonstrated lower consultation rates in 2021 and 2022, followed by a progressive increase, partly influenced by higher ICU admissions during the pandemic period.
Conclusion: Thoracic surgery consultation burden reflects clinical complexity beyond diagnosis. Although the consultation burden was higher among non-trauma patients, a subgroup of trauma patients required substantial consultation. Temporal variations indicate the influence of healthcare system dynamics. Assessing consultation burden may improve multidisciplinary management, clinical outcomes, and resource utilization.

Keywords: Consultation, intensive care unit, thoracic surgery