title: Chest Tube Management after Surgery for Pneumothorax.
abstract: There is scant evidence on the management of chest tubes after surgery for pneumothorax. Most of the current knowledge is extrapolated from studies performed on subjects with lung cancer. This article reviews the existing literature with particular focus on the effect of suction and no suction on the duration of air leak after lung resection and surgery for pneumothorax. Moreover, the role of regulated suction, which seems to provide some benefit in reducing pneumothorax recurrence after bullectomy and pleurodesis, is discussed. Finally, a personal view on the management of chest tubes after surgery for pneumothorax is provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pompili
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salati
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK. Electronic address: brunellialex@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunelli
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000601:surgery; D018700:Pleurodesis; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Bullectomy; Chest drainage; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Suction