Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility and safety of a new volume threshold for chest tube removal following lobectomy.
Methods: The prospective randomized single-blind control study included 90 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy for pathological conditions between March 2012 and September 2012. Eligible patients were randomized into two groups: early removal group (chest tube removal at the drainage volume of 300 ml/24 h or less) and traditional management group (chest tube removal when the drainage volume is less than 100 ml/24 h). Criteria for the early removal group were established and met prior to chest tube removal. The volume and characteristics of drainage, time of drainage tube extraction, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. All patients received standard care while in the hospital and a follow-up visit was performed 7 days after discharge from hospital.
Results: In accordance with the exit criteria, 20 patients were excluded from the study. The remaining 70 patients included in the final analysis were divided into two groups: early removal group (n = 41) and traditional management group (n = 29). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, sex, comorbidities, and pathological evaluation of resection specimens. In eligible patients (n = 70), the mean volume of drainage 24 h after surgery was 300 ml, while the mean volume of drainage 48 h after surgery was 250 ml. The average daily drainage 48 h after surgery was significantly different than the average daily drainage 24 h after surgery (Z = -2.059, P = 0.039). The mean duration of chest tube placement was 44 h in the early removal group and 67 h in the traditional management group (P = 0.004). Patients who underwent early removal management had a shorter postoperative hospital stay compared to the traditional management group (5 vs. 6 days, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between the rates of pleural effusion development, thoracentesis, and postoperative complications 1 week after hospital discharge.
Conclusion: Early removal of the chest tube after lobectomy is feasible and safe and may shorten patient hospital stay and reduce morbidity without the added risk of postoperative complications.