1
|
Abdul Khader A, Pons A, Palmares A, Booth S, Smith A, Proli C, De Sousa P, Lim E. Outcomes of chest drain management using only air leak (without fluid) criteria for removal after general thoracic surgery-a drainology study. J Thorac Dis 2023; 15:3776-3782. [PMID: 37559627 PMCID: PMC10407534 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-22-1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Chest drain management is a variable aspect of postoperative care in thoracic surgery, with different opinion for air and drain volume output. We aim to study if acceptable safety was maintained using air leak criteria alone. Methods A 9-year retrospective analysis of protocolised chest drain management using digital drain air leak cut off less than 20 mL/min for more than 6 h for drain removal in patients undergoing general thoracic surgery. We excluded patients if a chest drain was not required nor removed during admission or if patients underwent volume reduction or pneumonectomy. Withdrawal criteria were suspected bleeding or chylothorax. Postoperative films were reviewed to document post-drain removal pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and reintervention (drain re-insertion). Results Between 2012 and 2021, 1,187 patients had thoracic surgery under a single surgeon. Following exclusion and withdrawal criteria, 797 patients were left for analysis. The mean age [standard deviation (SD)] was 61 [16] years and 383 (48%) were male. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] duration of drain insertion was 1 [1-2] day with a median length of hospital stay of 4 [2-6] days. Post-drain removal pneumothorax was observed in 141 (17.7%), post-drain removal pleural effusion was observed in 75 (9.4%) and re-intervention (reinsertion of chest drain) required in 17 (2.1%). Conclusions Our results demonstrate acceptable levels of safety using digital assessment of air leak as the sole criteria for drain removal in selected patients after general thoracic surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashiq Abdul Khader
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Aina Pons
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Abigail Palmares
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sarah Booth
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alexander Smith
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Chiara Proli
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Paulo De Sousa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Eric Lim
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Academic Division of Thoracic Surgery, Imperial College and The Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ambulatory chest drainage with advanced nurse practitioner-led follow-up facilitates early discharge after thoracic surgery. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2023; 71:182-188. [PMID: 36210394 PMCID: PMC9944346 DOI: 10.1007/s11748-022-01873-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To demonstrate the safety and feasibility of advanced nurse practitioner-led (ANP-led) outpatient follow-up after discharge with ambulatory chest drains for prolonged air leak and excessive fluid drainage. METHODS Patients discharged with ambulatory chest drains between January 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Discharge criteria included air leak < 200 ml/min or fluid drainage > 100 ml/24 h on a digital drain. Patients were reviewed weekly in the clinic by ANPs, a highly skilled cohort of nurses with physician support available. Outcomes included length of stay, duration of air or fluid leak and complications. RESULTS Two-hundred patients were included, amounting to 368 clinic episodes. The median age was 68 ± 13 years and 119 (60%) were male. 112 (56%) patients underwent anatomical lung resection (total anatomical lung resections during the study period = 917) equating to a discharge with ambulatory chest drain rate of 12.2% in this group. The median length of stay was 6 ± 3 days and 176 (88%) patients were discharged with air leak versus 24 (12%) with excessive fluid drainage. The median time to drain removal was 12 ± 11 days. Complications occurred in 16 patients (8%) and 12 (6%) required readmission. An estimated 2075 inpatient days were saved over the study period equating to an annual cost saving of £123,167 (US$149,032) per annum. CONCLUSIONS Patients with air leak or excessive fluid drainage can safely be discharged with ambulatory chest drains, allowing them to return to their familiar home environment safely and quickly. ANP-led clinics are a robust and cost-effective follow-up strategy and are associated with a low complication rate.
Collapse
|
3
|
Chest Drainage Therapy: What Comes out of Pandora's Box Can Affect Patient Outcomes. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11185311. [PMID: 36142958 PMCID: PMC9500716 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Over the last 100 years, the original three-bottle chest drainage system has been variously engineered into compact disposables and electronic units. Clinicians are now surrounded by a plethora of different types of systems, but little is known about the way that they work and perform. Thus, we sought to test the performance of the most commonly used chest drainage units under conditions that are relevant to clinical practice. Methods: A pleural space environment simulator was built. Thirty-two units were tested under four clinical scenarios: air leak interpretation during quiet breathing and after obstructed inspiration (−5 to −150 cmH2O), a buildup of negative pressure (−100 cmH2O), a bronchopleural fistula (10 L/min) and the need for effective external suction in the presence of air leakage. Twenty-five units were “traditional” thoracic drainages, five were “digital” low-flow/low-vacuum pumps and two were hybrids (a combination of the two). According to the design of the seal and of the suction control, the units were classified as wet-wet, wet-dry and dry-dry. Results: All wet units showed reverse air flow, with the potential to mimic an air leak when there was none. Ten wet units showed no automatic negative pressure relief features, while five dry-dry did but were slow to react. Ten wet and five dry-dry units showed no capability to handle a 10 L/min leak, as they were restrictive to flow (peak pressure up to 55 cmH2O). Only seven dry-suction units were able to maintain the set suction at high airflow rates (>20 L/min). Conclusions: Different chest drainage unit designs lead to different performances, some of which may negatively impact patient outcomes. This sounds the call to tailor our clinical practice for the individual patient. A paradigm shift to better understand all components of pleural physiology post-surgical intervention on this relatively neglected topic is needed to improve our daily practice.
Collapse
|
4
|
The association of thrombin generation with bleeding outcomes in cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study. Can J Anaesth 2021; 69:311-322. [PMID: 34939141 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-021-02165-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with coagulopathic bleeding. Impaired thrombin generation may be an important cause of coagulopathic bleeding but is poorly measured by existing hemostatic assays. We examined thrombin generation during cardiac surgery, using calibrated automated thrombography, and its association with bleeding outcomes. METHODS We conducted a prospective observational study in 100 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Calibrated automated thrombography parameters were expressed as a ratio of post-CPB values divided by pre-CPB values. The association of thrombin generation parameters for bleeding outcomes was compared with conventional tests of hemostasis, and the outcomes of patients with the most severe post-CPB impairment in thrombin generation (≥ 80% drop from baseline) were compared with the rest of the cohort. RESULTS All 100 patients were included in the final analysis, with a mean age of 63 (12) yr, 31 (31%) female, and 94 (94%) undergoing bypass and/or valve surgery. Post-CPB, peak thrombin decreased by a median of 73% (interquartile range [IQR], 49-91%) (P < 0.001) and total thrombin generation, expressed as the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), decreased 56% [IQR, 30-83%] (P < 0.001). In patients with ≥ 80% decrease in ETP, 21% required re-exploration for bleeding compared with 7% in the rest of the cohort (P = 0.04), and 48% required medical or surgical treatment for hemostasis compared with 27% in the rest of the cohort (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Thrombin generation is significantly impaired by CPB and associated with higher bleeding severity. Clinical studies aimed at the identification and treatment of patients with impaired thrombin generation are warranted.
Collapse
|
5
|
Oberoi AS, Parshad R, Suhani, Seenu V, Joshi MK, Kashyap L, Singh KJ. Prospective Study to Evaluate the Role of Protocol-Based Management of Chest Tubes in Patients Undergoing Elective Thoracic Surgery. Indian J Surg 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12262-020-02182-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
|
6
|
Novoa NM, Fuentes MG. Digital chest drainage vs. water seal chest drainage in the robotic era. J Thorac Dis 2020; 12:3004-3006. [PMID: 32642219 PMCID: PMC7330785 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2020.03.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nuria M Novoa
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain.,Salamanca Institute of Biomedical Research (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta G Fuentes
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain.,Salamanca Institute of Biomedical Research (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chiappetta M, Pogliani L, Nachira D, Vita ML, Margaritora S. Chest ultrasound in post-operative management: the needed to rethink our perspective? J Thorac Dis 2019; 11:S2039-S2040. [PMID: 31632822 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2019.08.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Chiappetta
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Pogliani
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Dania Nachira
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Vita
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Margaritora
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gowing SD, Resende VF, Gilbert S. Less is more: the benefits of low suction for digital pleural drainage devices after pulmonary resection. J Thorac Dis 2019; 11:S1999-S2001. [PMID: 31632809 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2019.06.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Donald Gowing
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Virginia Ferreira Resende
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sebastien Gilbert
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Scanagatta P, Rolli L. Post-operative lung ultrasonography in daily routine thoracic surgery: can we trust its results? J Thorac Dis 2019; 11:42-44. [PMID: 30863566 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.12.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Scanagatta
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Rolli
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Smargiassi A, Inchingolo R, Chiappetta M, Ciavarella LP, Lopatriello S, Corbo GM, Margaritora S, Richeldi L. Agreement between chest ultrasonography and chest X-ray in patients who have undergone thoracic surgery: preliminary results. Multidiscip Respir Med 2019; 14:9. [PMID: 30867907 PMCID: PMC6398240 DOI: 10.1186/s40248-019-0171-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chest Ultrasonography (chest US) has shown good sensibility in detecting pneumothorax, pleural effusions and peripheral consolidations and it can be performed bedside. Objectives The aim of the study was to analyze agreement between chest US and chest X-ray in patients who have undergone thoracic surgery and discuss cases of discordance. Methods Patients undergoing thoracic surgery were retrospectively selected. Patients underwent routinely Chest X-ray (CXR) during the first 48 h after surgery. Chest US have been routinely performed in all selected patients in the same date of CXR. Chest US operators were blind to both reports and images of CXR. Ultrasonographic findings regarding pneumothorax (PNX), subcutaneous emphysema (SCE), lung consolidations (LC), pleural effusions (PE) and hemi-diaphragm position were collected and compared to corresponding CXR findings. Inter-rater agreement between two techniques was determined by Cohen's kappa-coefficient. Results Twenty-four patients were selected. Inter-rater agreement showed a moderate magnitude for PNX (Cohen's Kappa 0.5), a slight/fair magnitude for SCE (Cohen's Kappa 0.21), a fair magnitude for PE (Cohen's Kappa 0.39), no agreement for LCs (Cohen's Kappa 0.06), high levels of agreement for position of hemi-diaphragm (Cohen's Kappa 0.7). Conclusion Analysis of agreement between chest X-ray and chest US showed that ultrasonography is able to detect important findings for surgeons. Limitations and advantages have been found for both chest X-ray and chest US. Knowing the limits of each one is important to really justify and optimize the use of ionizing radiations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Smargiassi
- 1Respiratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Inchingolo
- 1Respiratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Chiappetta
- 2Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Lopatriello
- 1Respiratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Corbo
- 1Respiratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,3Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Margaritora
- 2Thoracic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,3Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Richeldi
- 1Respiratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,3Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jiménez M, Novoa N, Varela G. Digital pleural drainages-what is the real value for patients? J Thorac Dis 2019; 10:S3867-S3869. [PMID: 30631501 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.09.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Jiménez
- Service of Thoracic Surgery, Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Salamanca University, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nuria Novoa
- Service of Thoracic Surgery, Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Salamanca University, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Varela
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Salamanca University, Salamanca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
French DG, Gilbert S. Technology and evidence-based care enhance postoperative management of chest drains. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10:6399-6403. [PMID: 30746174 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.11.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G French
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital-Victoria Campus, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sebastien Gilbert
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kheir F. Postoperative chest tube management for patients undergoing lobectomy: evidence-based practice. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10:S4130-S4132. [PMID: 30631573 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.10.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fayez Kheir
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care and Environmental Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
French DG, Plourde M, Henteleff H, Mujoomdar A, Bethune D. Optimal management of postoperative parenchymal air leaks. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10:S3789-S3798. [PMID: 30505566 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.10.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Air leaks are the most common complication after pulmonary resection. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs must be designed to manage parenchymal air leaks. ERAS programs should consider two components when creating protocols for air leaks: assessment and management. Accurate assessment of air leaks using traditional analogues devices, newer digital drainage systems, portable devices and chest X-rays (CXR) are reviewed. Published data suggests that digital drainage systems result in a more confident assessment of air leaks. The literature regarding the management of postoperative air leaks, including the number of chest tubes, the role of applied external suction, invasive maneuvers and discharge with a portable device is reviewed. The key findings are that a single chest drain is adequate in the majority of cases to manage an air leak, the use of applied external suction is unlikely to prevent or prolong an air leak, autologous blood patch pleurodesis may potentially shorten postoperative air leaks and there is sufficient data to support that patients can safely be discharged with a portable drainage system. There is also literature to support the design of protocols for management of postoperative air leaks. Standardization of postoperative care through ERAS programs will allow for the design of larger RCTs to better understand some of the controversies around the management of postoperative air leaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G French
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital - Victoria Campus, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Madelaine Plourde
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital - Victoria Campus, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Harry Henteleff
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital - Victoria Campus, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Aneil Mujoomdar
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital - Victoria Campus, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Drew Bethune
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital - Victoria Campus, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Feenstra TM, Dickhoff C, Deunk J. Systematic review and meta-analysis of tube thoracostomy following traumatic chest injury; suction versus water seal. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2018; 44:819-827. [PMID: 29546613 PMCID: PMC6267148 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-018-0942-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Tube thoracostomy is frequently used in thoracic trauma patients. However, there is no consensus on whether low pressure suction or water seal is the optimal method of tube management. Against this background, we performed a systematic review of studies comparing suction and water seal management of chest tubes placed for traumatic chest injuries in adults. Evaluated outcomes are duration of chest tube treatment, length of stay in hospital, incidence of persistent air leak, clotted hemothorax, and the need for (re-)interventions. Methods A systematic literature search according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. Included studies were evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing the risk of bias, and according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines for assessing the quality of evidence. Results After assessment of 120 identified studies, three RCT’s (randomized controlled trials) were included in this review and meta-analysis. A favorable effect of suction was found for duration of chest tube treatment [MD (mean difference) − 3.38 days, P = 0.005], length of stay in hospital (MD −3.90 days, P = 0.0003), and the incidence of persistent air leak [OR (odds ratio) 0.27, P = 0.001]. No significant difference was found for the incidence of clotted hemothorax and (re-)interventions. The quality of evidence according to GRADE was low, except for persistent air leak (moderate). Conclusions Suction seems to have a positive effect on duration of chest tube treatment, length of stay in hospital and persistent air leakage in chest trauma. However, available data was limited and the quality of evidence was (very) low to moderate according to GRADE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Michael Feenstra
- Department of Trauma Surgery, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chris Dickhoff
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Deunk
- Department of Trauma Surgery, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|