title: When to Remove a Chest Tube.
abstract: Despite the increasing knowledge about the pleural physiology after lung resection, most practices around chest tube removal are dictated by personal preferences and experience. This article discusses recently published data on the topic and suggests opportunities for further investigation and future improvements.
authors.affiliation: General Thoracic Surgery Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. Electronic address: nuria.novoa@usal.es.
authors.forename: Nuria M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Novoa
authors.affiliation: General Thoracic Surgery Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Marcelo F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.affiliation: General Thoracic Surgery Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varela
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D020878:Device Removal; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010994:Pleura / Q000502:physiology; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Daily output of pleural fluid; Digital pleural drainage; Electronic pleural drainage; Large pleural drainage; Postoperative air leak; Water seal drainage