It is safe and feasible to omit the chest tube postoperatively for selected patients receiving thoracoscopic pulmonary resection: a meta-analysis

[Chinese Expert Consensus on Day Surgery Management of Lung Cancer (2024 Edition)]

To alleviate the medical burden of lung cancer surgery and facilitate the implementation of the national hierarchical diagnosis and treatment policy, it is imperative to establish a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system for day surgery of lung cancer. Identifying key quality control checkpoints in day surgery of lung cancer is essential to enhance medical quality, ensure safety, and improve the efficiency of medical services. These efforts aim to uphold a safe and well-structured progression of day surgery practices in China. The Chinese Expert Consensus Group on Day Surgery Management of Lung Cancer has convened national experts in relevant fields and integrated the latest research findings from both domestic and international sources to craft the Chinese Expert Consensus on Day Surgery Management of Lung Cancer (2024 Edition). This consensus is founded on the principles of holistic management of lung cancer surgery and comprehensive patient care throughout their medical journey. It encompasses preoperative assessments, anesthesia protocols, surgical procedures, postoperative care, hospital-community collaboration initiatives, and emergency response strategies. The primary objective of this expert consensus is to furnish research assistance and clinical recommendations to advance the practice of day surgery for lung cancer patients in China.
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Efficacy of avoiding chest drains after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The use of routine postoperative chest drains after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) of the lung is a practice based on tradition with the aim of draining fluid and air. However, new evidence suggests that chest drains can be avoided in selected cases. With this randomised controlled trial, we wish to establish the efficacy and safety of avoiding postoperative chest drains compared with routine postoperative chest drains.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a two-centre randomised controlled trial without allocation concealment, but where randomisation occurs after the end of procedure leaving operative personnel blinded during surgery. The sample size is calculated to show a difference in pain measurements using the Numeric Rating Scale under different circumstances and at different time points to show superiority of the intervention. The trial is pragmatic by design to reflect the daily clinical scenario and with the aim of increasing the external validity of the results.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approval by the local ethics committees has been obtained for both sites. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05358158) prior to inclusion. The results of the trial will be disseminated by publication in an international journal and presentation at major international thoracic surgical meetings.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

This is a randomised controlled trial estimating the effects of avoiding a chest drain after VATS wedge resection of the lung on pain, total morphine use, quality of life and complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05358158.

Unnecessity of routine chest tube drainage after patent ductus arteriosus ligation in preterm neonates

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a chest tube drainage is placed following patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation to monitor possible bleeding and drain air or effusion postoperatively. However, the necessity of chest tube drainage after thoracotomy in PDA ligation is controversial. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of omitting chest tube drainage in preterm neonates who underwent PDA ligation via thoracotomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 56 preterm neonates who underwent surgical ligation of PDA via thoracotomy in the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2014 and March 2022.

RESULTS

The median gestational age was 26.9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 25.9-28.8) weeks and the median body weight at birth was 895 (IQR: 795-1190) g. The median age on the day of surgery was 17.0 (IQR: 10.0-22.0) days and the median body weight on the day of surgery was 1100 (IQR: 958-1410) g. The median operative time was 44.5 (IQR: 35.5-54.0) minutes. There were no intraoperative events or procedure-related deaths. On postoperative chest radiographs, no patients had major complications, such as pneumothorax or hemothorax. Nineteen patients (34%) had minor complications of subcutaneous emphysema around the thoracotomy site. No patients required additional chest tube drainage for postoperative bleeding, pleural effusion, or progressive subcutaneous emphysema. No patients had surgical wound infections. There were seven in-hospital mortalities, which were unrelated to the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Omitting chest tube drainage is feasible and safe for the postoperative management of preterm neonates undergoing PDA ligation via thoracotomy.

Safety and feasibility of a novel chest tube placement in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The type and placement of chest tube for patients undergoing uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel technique in which a pigtail catheter was used alone as the chest tube and placed near the incision for chest drainage after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and extended lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

A total of 217 patients undergoing uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups. In group A, a 12-Fr pigtail catheter with several side ports was placed next to the uniportal wound. In group B, a conventional 20-Fr chest tube was placed through the uniportal wound itself. Postoperative complications related to chest tube placement and patients' subjective satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Postoperative pain management effect and other clinical outcomes such as duration of chest drainage and postoperative stay were also compared.

RESULTS

There were 112 patients in group A and 105 patients in group B. A significantly lower incidence of wound complications was found in group A postoperatively (p = 0.034). The pain score on coughing in group A was significantly lower than that in group B on postoperative day two (POD2) (p = 0.021). There was no significant difference of other clinical outcomes such as duration of chest drainage and postoperative stay as well as major complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Placing a 12-Fr pigtail catheter alone next to the uniportal wound for chest drainage might be effective and safe after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and extended lymphadenectomy.

A No-Chest-Drain Policy After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Wedge Resection in Selected Patients: Our 12-Year Experience

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pleural drainage omission after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for wedge resections may facilitate faster recovery. This retrospective cohort study presents our 12-year experience with omitting thoracic drainage in patients who underwent a VATS wedge resection, aiming to assess its safety and efficacy.

METHODS

Records from consecutive patients who underwent a VATS wedge resection at our hospital between February 2008 and October 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for eligibility. Patient and surgical characteristics as well as postoperative data were collected and compared between patients who received a chest drain (CD) or received no chest drain (NCD) after surgery. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine whether drain placement was associated with complications (primary outcome), and major complications requiring pleural drainage or length of hospital stay (secondary outcomes).

RESULTS

Data of 348 patients were analyzed. The drainless group (n = 98) and drain group (n = 237) were significantly different in the following baseline and surgical characteristics: sex, pulmonary function, interstitial lung disease, final pathology, number of wedges, and surgical approach. No significant differences were detected in postoperative complications (NCD 8.2%, CD 14.8%; P = .10), major complications (NCD 5.1%, CD 5.1%; P > .99), or complications requiring pleural drainage (NCD 5.1%, CD 3.8%; P = .56). The drainless group did show a significantly shorter hospitalization (NCD 2 ± 2, CD 3 ± 2 days; P < .001). Multivariable analyses revealed that drain placement was not significantly correlated with postoperative complications. In contrast, prolonged hospitalization was significantly influenced by drain placement.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that a no-chest-drain policy after VATS wedge resections can safely fast-track rehabilitation for selected patients.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes with or without routine chest tube drainage after video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary resection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

In recent years, an increasing number of thoracic surgeons have attempted to apply no routine chest tube drainage (NT) strategy after thoracoscopic lung resection. However, the safety and feasibility of not routinely placing a chest tube after lung resection remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of NT strategy after thoracoscopic pulmonary resection on perioperative outcomes.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases until 3 January 2022 was performed to identify the studies that implemented NT strategy after thoracoscopic pulmonary resection. Perioperative outcomes were extracted by 2 reviewers independently and then synthesized using a random-effects model. Risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) served as the summary statistics for meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were subsequently performed.

Results

A total of 12 studies with 1,381 patients were included. The meta-analysis indicated that patients in the NT group had a significantly reduced postoperative length of stay (LOS) (SMD = -0.91; 95% CI: -1.20 to -0.61; P < 0.001) and pain score on postoperative day (POD) 1 (SMD = -0.95; 95% CI: -1.54 to -0.36; P = 0.002), POD 2 (SMD = -0.37; 95% CI: -0.63 to -0.11; P = 0.005), and POD 3 (SMD = -0.39; 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.06; P = 0.02). Further subgroup analysis showed that the difference of postoperative LOS became statistically insignificant in the lobectomy or segmentectomy subgroup (SMD = -0.30; 95% CI: -0.91 to 0.32; P = 0.34). Although the risk of pneumothorax was significantly higher in the NT group (RR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.14-2.68; P = 0.01), the reintervention rates were comparable between groups (RR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.48-2.25; P = 0.92). No significant difference was found in pleural effusion, subcutaneous emphysema, operation time, pain score on POD 7, and wound healing satisfactory (all P > 0.05). The sensitivity analysis suggested that the results of the meta-analysis were stabilized.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggested that NT strategy is safe and feasible for selected patients scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-4-0026, identifier INPLASY202240026.

Risk of Pneumothorax Requiring Pleural Drainage after Drainless VATS Pulmonary Wedge Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Omitting pleural drainage after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for pulmonary wedge resections has been shown to be a safe approach to enhance recovery. However, major concerns remain regarding the risk of postoperative pneumothoraces requiring surgical interventions. Therefore, our objective was to provide conclusive evidence whether chest tube omission after VATS wedge resection is safe and does not increase the risk of pneumothoraces requiring pleural drainage.

METHODS

Five scientific databases were searched. Studies comparing patients with (CT group) and without chest tube drainage (NCT group) after VATS wedge resection were evaluated. Outcomes included radiographically diagnosed pneumothoraces and pneumothoraces requiring pleural drainage, postoperative complications, hospitalization, and pain scores.

RESULTS

Overall, 9 studies (3 randomized controlled trials) were included (N = 928). Meta-analysis showed significantly more radiographically diagnosed pneumothoraces in the NCT group (risk ratio [RR] = 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56 to 4.29, P < 0.001; I² = 0%). However, no significant differences were found in postoperative pneumothoraces requiring pleural drainage (RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 0.63 to 4.74, P = 0.29; I² = 0%) or complications (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.52, P = 0.46; I² = 0%). Furthermore, the NCT group showed significantly shorter hospitalization (mean difference = -1.26, 95% CI: -1.56 to -0.95, P < 0.001) with high heterogeneity (I² = 58%, P = 0.02), and lower pain scores on postoperative day 1 (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.98, 95% CI: -1.71 to -0.25, P = 0.009; I² = 92%) and postoperative day 2 (SMD = -1.28, 95% CI: -2.55 to -0.01, P = 0.05; I² = 96%) compared with the CT group.

CONCLUSIONS

VATS wedge resection without routine chest tube placement is suggested as a safe and less invasive approach in selected patients that does not increase the risk of a pneumothorax requiring pleural drainage.

Single Chest Drain Practice Reduces Discharge Opioid Prescriptions in Thoracic Surgery

INTRODUCTION

 Chest drains are placed following pulmonary resection to promote lung re-expansion. The superiority of two chest drains at preventing postoperative complications has not been established, and practice remains largely dictated by surgeon preference. We sought to compare patient outcomes based on number of chest drains used.

METHODS

 This is a retrospective analysis including patients undergoing lobectomies and segmentectomies between March 2016 and April 2020. Patients were categorized based on number of chest drains placed and were matched 1:1 using the nearest neighbor (greedy) technique. Our primary outcome was opioid prescriptions at discharge (in morphine equivalent daily dose [MEDD]). Associations were tested using multilevel mixed-effects regression to account for variability between surgeons.

RESULTS

 A total of 1,094 patients met inclusion criteria. Single chest drain was used in 922 patients, whereas 172 had two chest tubes. After matching, there were 111 patients in each group. In multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression, patients treated with a single chest drain received fewer opioid prescriptions (β: -194 MEDD, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -302 to -86 MEDD, p < 0.01), were more likely to be opioid-free at hospital discharge (odds ratio [OR] = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.08-4.12, p = 0.03), and had lower readmission rates within 30 days (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.84, p = 0.02). Single chest drain practice did not affect the risk of pulmonary complications and there was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay (3 days [interquartile range: 2-5] vs. 4 days [3-6], p = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

 Single chest drain practice in lobectomies and segmentectomies was associated with less opioid prescription requirement without any increase in complications.

Efficacy and safety of omitting chest drains after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of omitting chest drains compared to routine chest drain placement after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

METHODS

Five bibliographic databases, ClinicalTrials.gov and PROSPERO were comprehensively searched from inception to July 29, 2020 (no language restrictions). Postoperative outcomes were extracted and synthesized complying with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Risk of bias (RoB) including non-reporting bias, heterogeneity, and sensitivity were assessed. Subgroup analyses were performed based on study design.

RESULTS

Of 7,166 identified studies, 10 studies [four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six non-RCTs] with 1,079 patients were included. There were 561 patients in the no chest drain group (NCD) and 518 patients in the standard chest drain group (CD). In pairwise analysis the NCD group had significant shorter length of stay (LOS) [weighted mean difference (WMD) -1.53 days, P<0.001], less postoperative pain scores (WMD -1.09, P=0.002), but higher risk of drain insertion or thoracocentesis [risk radio (RR) 3.02, P=0.040]. There were no significant differences on the incidence of minor pneumothorax (RR 1.77, P=0.128), minor pleural effusion (RR 1.88, P=0.219), minor subcutaneous emphysema (RR 1.37, P=0.427) or pneumonia (RR 0.53, P=0.549). No mortality was observed in either group during the observation period (in-hospital or 30-day mortality).

CONCLUSIONS

Omitting chest drains in selected patients after VATS seems effective leading to enhanced recovery with shorter length of postoperative stay and less pain but with a higher risk of drain insertion or thoracocentesis. However, a major part of the evidence comes from observational studies with high RoB. Further RCTs are needed to improve the current evidence.

Guidelines on enhanced recovery after pulmonary lobectomy

OBJECTIVE

To establish recommendations for optimisation of the management of patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy, particularly Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 13 experts from the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Soci,t, franOaise d'anesth,sie et de r,animation, SFAR) and the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (Soci,t, franOaise de chirurgie thoracique et cardiovasculaire, SFCTCV) was convened. A formal conflict-of-interest policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guidelines process was conducted independently of any industry funding. The authors were advised to follow the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence.

METHODS

Five domains were defined: 1) patient pathway and patient information; 2) preoperative management and rehabilitation; 3) anaesthesia and analgesia for lobectomy; 4) surgical strategy for lobectomy; and 5) enhanced recovery after surgery. For each domain, the objective of the recommendations was to address a number of questions formulated according to the PICO model (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). An extensive literature search on these questions was carried out and analysed using the GRADE® methodology. Recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE® methodology, and were then voted by all experts according to the GRADE grid method.

RESULTS

The SFAR/SFCTCV guideline panel provided 32 recommendations on the management of patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy. After two voting rounds and several amendments, a strong consensus was reached for 31 of the 32 recommendations and a moderate consensus was reached for the last recommendation. Seven of these recommendations present a high level of evidence (GRADE 1+), 23 have a moderate level of evidence (18 GRADE 2+ and 5 GRADE 2-), and 2 correspond to expert opinions. Finally, no recommendation was provided for 2 of the questions.

CONCLUSIONS

A strong consensus was expressed by the experts to provide recommendations to optimise the whole perioperative management of patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy.

Recommendations from the Italian intersociety consensus on Perioperative Anesthesa Care in Thoracic surgery (PACTS) part 2: intraoperative and postoperative care

Introduction

Anesthetic care in patients undergoing thoracic surgery presents specific challenges that require a multidisciplinary approach to management. There remains a need for standardized, evidence-based, continuously updated guidelines for perioperative care in these patients.

Methods

A multidisciplinary expert group, the Perioperative Anesthesia in Thoracic Surgery (PACTS) group, was established to develop recommendations for anesthesia practice in patients undergoing elective lung resection for lung cancer. The project addressed three key areas: preoperative patient assessment and preparation, intraoperative management (surgical and anesthesiologic care), and postoperative care and discharge. A series of clinical questions was developed, and literature searches were performed to inform discussions around these areas, leading to the development of 69 recommendations. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were graded using the United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria.

Results

Recommendations for intraoperative care focus on airway management, and monitoring of vital signs, hemodynamics, blood gases, neuromuscular blockade, and depth of anesthesia. Recommendations for postoperative care focus on the provision of multimodal analgesia, intensive care unit (ICU) care, and specific measures such as chest drainage, mobilization, noninvasive ventilation, and atrial fibrillation prophylaxis.

Conclusions

These recommendations should help clinicians to improve intraoperative and postoperative management, and thereby achieve better postoperative outcomes in thoracic surgery patients. Further refinement of the recommendations can be anticipated as the literature continues to evolve.

[Proper Selection of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Programs between the Medical Service and Medical Intervence - Is It Time to Do?]

加速康复外科（enhanced recovery after surgery, ERAS）理念诞生与微创外科技术进步密切相关。ERAS发展过程中利用技术，又融入人文因素，使其高于技术，而丰富ERAS的内涵和外延。结合近年ERAS在外科各领域的进展，总结ERAS临床应用的现状与策略：一是微创技术进步使ERAS理念的临床应用成为必然；二是外科学理论与技术的发展，深入与扩大了ERAS的内涵与外延；三是ERAS临床应用需要我们更新观念；四是ERAS的临床实践需要在医疗服务和医疗干预之间合理选择；五是ERAS临床应用加减之间应用的现实问题与策略。从而深入理解ERAS的真正临床意义，更好地指导临床实践。

[Clinical Effect of Day Surgery in Patients with Lung Caner by Optimize Operating Process]

BACKGROUND

The types and number of day surgery are increasing, what is the result of day surgery of selected patients with lung cancer? To explore the operation process and clinical effect of day surgery in patients with lung cancer by fusing the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

METHODS

A prospective study was planned with the approval of our institutional review board. 153 lung cancer patients who underwent anatomic resection in a single medical group between June 2019 and Nov 2019 were randomized. 20 patients were applied day surgery and 28 patients by inpatient surgery and the average length of stay, average hospital cost , complications and adverse reactions were analysed.

RESULTS

The average hospital day in DSG group (1 d) was significantly shorter than in ISG group (7.7±2.8) d (P=0.000). The average hospital cost in DSG group (38,297.3±3,408.7)¥ was significantly lower than in ISG group (47,831.1±7,376.1)¥ (P=0.000). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the daytime surgery group (5.0%) and the inpatient surgery group (3.6%) (P=0.812). The postoperation adverse reactions in DSG (10.0%) and ISG (17.9%) is no difference (P=0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the same clinical effect achieved between DSG and ISG, and recover quickly lung cancer patients after day surgery.

[Current Situation and Strategy of Day Surgery in Patients with Lung Cancer by Enhanced Recovery after Surgery]

加速康复外科（enhanced recovery after surgery, ERAS）理论、手术器械和治疗病种的变化，均需要重新审视现在的临床治疗观念和操作流程。ERAS理念从兴起到完善，为复杂却风险低的手术日间化提供了理论和技术支持。结合最近的国内外临床实践，以肺癌为例，分析肺癌手术日间化面临的问题与应对策略。从以下几方面论述：一是肺癌患者由住院手术转为日间手术（ambulatory surgery day surgery）的必要性与可行性；二是肺癌手术日间化的团队及平台建设；三是肺癌日间手术操作流程及围手术期管理需要优化；四是利用“分级诊疗-日间手术”模式保障患者安全；五是肺癌日间手术临床应用前景。

A chest tube may not necessary in children thoracoscopic lobectomy

Drainage of the thorax postoperatively using chest tubes is a standard procedure in thoracic surgery. However, chest tubes can induce pain and immobilization, increase risk of infection, deteriorate the ventilation capacity, and increase difficulty of postoperative management, particularly in children. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effect of excluding chest tubes after performing thoracoscopic lobectomy in selected children.A retrospective review of medical records was performed in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2014 to June 2018. Patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy without chest tubes were recorded. Patients with accompanying severe pulmonary infection, extensive thoracic adhesions, or undeveloped interlobar fissure were excluded.In total, 246 patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy without a chest tube, and none required chest drain insertion or reintervention during hospitalization and follow-up at 90 days postoperatively. Among them, 2 (0.81%) patients developed a delayed pneumothorax which was found after being discharged, and resolved spontaneously in 2 weeks. No hemothorax, atelectasis, and bronchial fistula were found. Furthermore, 202 (82.1%) patients developed subcutaneous emphysema, which was asymptomatic and spontaneously resolved within 3 to 7 days. The length of postoperative hospital stay was 2 days; patients were discharged in the 3rd day postoperatively. Patients could recover to free mobilization and resume regular diet at 6 hours postoperatively. All patients were followed up for at least 3 months; no other complications were found, and all patients recovered well.This study showed that chest tube placement in selected patients may be unnecessary in children undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy. The minimally invasive procedure and meticulous resection have been the preconditions of this procedure, which may contribute to a rapid recovery and can avoid the chest tube-related complications effectively.