Early removal of the chest tube after complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomies.
OBJECTIVE
Chest tubes induce morbidity such as pain, decrease mobility, increase the risk of infection, and prolong the length of hospital stays. This study evaluates a chest-tube protocol containing a high-drainage threshold and a short time period of drainage.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed with data collected from all elective complete video-assisted thoracoscopic (c-VATS) (bi-)lobectomies between March 2006 and December 2009. All patients had one chest-tube, postoperatively. The chest tube was removed if there was no air leakage and there was a drainage volume of 400 ml (24 h)(-1) or less. We aimed to remove the chest tube on postoperative day 1.


RESULTS
This series consists of 110 lobectomies and six bilobectomies. The median duration of chest-tube placement was 1.0 day. In 58.8% of patients (confidence interval (CI) 95%: 49.5-68.0), the drain was removed within 24 h of operation and in 82.5% (CI 95%: 74.2-88.7) within 48 h. In six (6.2%) patients, subcutaneous emphysema developed while the drain was still in place, and was treated with removal of the drain. Persistent air leakage was seen in four (3.4%) patients. One (0.9%) persisting pneumothorax was diagnosed. A pneumothorax after removal of the drain was not diagnosed. No major complications developed in 98 patients (84.5%). The median day of discharge was postoperative day 4.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows it is safe, after c-VATS (bi-)lobectomy, to remove the chest tube within 24 h in 58.8%, and within 48 h in 82.5% of patients. As was also shown in other studies, this leads to shorter length of hospital stays, lower costs, and most importantly, reduces patient morbidity without the added risk of complications.
Göttgens
Kevin W A
KW
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Atrium Medical Centre Parkstad, PO Box 4446, 6401 CX Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Siebenga
Jan
J
Belgers
Eric H J
EH
van Huijstee
Pieter-Jan
PJ
Bollen
Ewald C M
EC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015505:Chest Tubes; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult