Chest Tube Management After Lung Resection

Abstract

Given the ongoing effort to reduce duration of hospitalization, chest tube management has become a critical area of study for thoracic surgeons. The limiting factor in discharge of thoracic surgery patients after major lung resection is typically the timing of chest tube removal. Some surgeons currently often discharge patients with chest tubes in place, but this practice is difficult to apply routinely in most settings because of lack of patient or family acceptance, a shortage of professional resources to help patients manage their tubes at home, and unavailability of drainage systems suitable for use in an outpatient setting. A strategy that reduces how long chest tubes need to stay in place could have a substantial effect on length of hospital stay and avoid the obstacles encountered when discharge with chest tubes in place is contemplated.