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In 1989, we reorganized acute and rehabilitation cares for patients operated for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in order to decrease costs by setting up a specialised intermediate care unit (SICU). This report deals with the postoperative complications and the total cost of these cares (SICU, acute and rehabilitation cares) as well as their cost/benefit. From 1990 to 1994, we performed 95 thoracotomies, 7 exploratory and 88 with lung resection (24 pneumonectomies, 8 bilobectomies, 48 lobectomies and 8 segmentectomies or wedge resections). The postoperative staging was I in 52, II in 17, III a in 15, S III b in 2, IV in 2. Patients 30-days postoperative mortality was 2/95 (2.1%). We had in 11 patients respiratory complications (12%; 3 bronchopleural fistulas, 3 pneumonias, 3 pneumothorax > 7 days, 1 empyema, 1 chronic hypoxemia), in 15 patients cardiac arrhythmias which were easily controlled by medication and in 2 general complications (1 hemiplegia, 1 transitory stupor state). The total duration of hospital stay, including SICU, acute and rehabilitative cares, was 32 +/- 10 (3-70) days with a mean total cost of 14,722 Sfr. per case. In conclusion, surgery for NSCLC can be safely performed in intermediate cares without intensive care unit at low costs and with a low morbidity and mortality provided they are staffed by a specialised and well trained team.