Conventional and digital pleural drainage systems - advantages and disadvantages

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2023 Oct 31;65(5):753-759. doi: 10.3897/folmed.65.e97825.

Abstract

Pleural cavity drainage is a crucial component of the surgical management of patients with various chest diseases. Digital drainage systems are increasingly used in contemporary thoracic surgical procedure, which is likely a result of their effectiveness in achieving early postoperative ambulation, cutting down on hospital stays and lowering costs. The vast majority of thoracic surgeons worldwide prefer digital drainage systems to traditional ones. The advantages of the former, however, are disputed by some researchers.

Keywords: conventional pleural drainage systems digital pleural drainage systems financial costs hospital stay postoperative air leak.

MeSH terms

  • Chest Tubes*
  • Drainage / methods
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Pneumonectomy*