Abstract
Background/Purpose
Chest tubes are commonly used to evacuate the pleural space of air and fluid after
thoracic surgery. The safety and efficacy of postoperative traditional chest tubes
(CTs) versus soft bulb-suction drains (BDs) in the management of pediatric patients
undergoing thoracic procedures were investigated.
Methods
An institutional review board–approved, retrospective review was performed on all
patients who required noncardiac, nontraumatic thoracic operations from January 2000
to December 2005. Patient data included BD or CT drainage, age at operation, indication
for surgery, open or thoracoscopic approach, days of postoperative drainage, the development
of a postremoval pneumothorax, and complications. Statistical comparisons were made
using t test and χ2 test.
Results
During the study period, 186 patients with complete records underwent a thoracic operation.
One hundred twenty (65%) received a CT, whereas 66 (35%) received a BD. Patients who
received CT averaged 5.6 days of drainage compared with 4.4 days in the group that
received BD. Postremoval pneumothorax developed in 5 (4%) patients with CT compared
with 4 (6%) patients with BD. Two patients in the CT group required reinsertion of
another CT. None of the BD patients required further intervention.
Conclusion
For thoracoscopic and open thoracic operations, BDs are as safe and efficacious as
traditional CT.
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Article info
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
