BACKGROUND The objective of this randomised trial was to assess the effectiveness of a new fast-track chest tube removal protocol taking advantage of digital monitoring of air leak compared to a traditional protocol using visual and subjective assessment of air leak (bubbles). METHODS One hundred and sixty-six patients submitted to pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer were randomised in two gr...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the immediate influence of chest tube removal on chest pain and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after pulmonary resection. METHODS Prospective longitudinal investigation on 104 consecutive patients (53 wedge/segmentectomies and 51 lobectomies; 69 muscle and nerve-sparing lateral thoracotomy and 35 video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)...

BACKGROUND Recurrent pneumothorax is the most significant complication after discontinuation of thoracostomy tubes. The primary objective of the present study was to determine which method of tube removal, at the end of inspiration or at the end of expiration, is associated with a lesser risk of developing a recurrent pneumothorax. A secondary objective was to identify potential risk factors fo...

BACKGROUND Despite importance of chest tube insertion in chest trauma, there is no general agreement on the level of daily volume drainage from chest tube. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness and safety of chest tube removal at the levels of 150 ml/day and 200 ml/day. METHODS Eligible patients (138) who needed replacement of chest tube (because of trauma or malignancy) were ...

a 25-year-old man was admitted in hospital due to right side hemopneumothorax secondary to car accident. a chest tube was inserted. during the hospitalization days, chest ct scan revealed a 3cmx3 cm oval-shaped density located in the right upper lobe. since he was in a good general condition, he was discharged from hospital after removal of chest tube and a follow-up chest ct-scan was recommend...

OBJECTIVE To determine the removal time of the chest tube in ICU trauma patients under positive ventilation pressure (PVP). METHODS This was randomized clinical trial being performed in ICU department of Rajaei trauma hospital from March to December 2011. A total number of 92 trauma patients who were admitted in ICU and were under ventilation and had chest tube were randomly assigned into two...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of pleural drainage on the distance covered on the six-minute walk test, pain intensity and vital capacity in patients submitted to pulmonary resection. METHODS Thirteen consecutive patients from the Thoracic Surgery Infirmary of Hospital São Paulo, Brazil, submitted to closed pleural drainage (0.5-in multiperforated chest tube) in the postoperative period ...

PURPOSE Prolonged air or fluid chest tube drainage may delay chest tube removal in thoracic surgery patients otherwise ready for discharge. We reviewed 20 months of experience at our institution with postoperative, outpatient chest tube management using a new portable chest tube device. DESCRIPTION From May 2003 to December 2004, 457 major thoracic procedures were performed at our institution...

BACKGROUND Chest tube removal is a painful procedure. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of cold application in combination with Indomethacin suppository on chest tube removal pain in patients undergoing open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS This single-blind, double-group clinical trial was performed on 66 patients aged 18-68 years with the chest tube in pleural space. The...