Chest tube management following pulmonary lobectomy: change of protocol results in fewer air leaks

• Published in: Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 28 - 31
• Main Authors: Bertholet, Joost W M, Joosten, Joris J A, Keemers-Gels, Mariël E, van den Wildenberg, Frits J H, Barendregt, Wouter B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Aged; Chest Tubes; Drainage - adverse effects; Drainage - instrumentation; Female; Humans; Length of Stay; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Lung Neoplasms - secondary; Lung Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Pleural Effusion - etiology; Pleural Effusion - surgery; Pneumonectomy - adverse effects; Pneumothorax - etiology; Pneumothorax - prevention & control; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Netherlands

Much controversy exists regarding the management of chest tubes following pulmonary lobectomy. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of a new chest tube management protocol on clinical features, such as postoperative air leak, drain characteristics, 30-day postoperative complications...