Effectiveness of the Number of Chest Tubes and how to Remove it after Thoracic Surgery

At present, based on reference books, at the end of the more thoracic surgeries, two chest tubes are inserted in the anterior and the poster for drainage of air and fluid. Considering the development of thoracic surgery and the advances made, the need to insert two chest tubes and compare it with the embedding of just one tube and also compare the removal of the chest tube in a deep inspiration with deep exhalation will be considered. A total of 43 patients referred to the Army Hospitals during the years 95 to 97 who were referred to thoracotomy were randomly assigned a chest tube or two chest tubes. The duration of hospitalization, the amount of pain and re-effusion of fluid after discharge were evaluated. Chest tube removal was done in 22 patients with deep inspiration and 21 patients were in deep expiration. 43 patients aged between 14 and 72 years old, including 27 males and 16 females, were enrolled in the study. Surgery included 21 cases of decortication, 14 cases of hydatid cyst, 3 cases of lobectomy and 5 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax. The amount of pain and duration of hospitalization and patient satisfaction in the group of one chest tube were significantly lower (P < 0.005). The amount of fluid re-accumulation in the group with one chest tube was little more (7 to 4), but not significant
(P = 0.05). Taking off chest tube in deep inspiration or expiration if the Valsalva maneuver is done well, there is no difference in the air's lick. The insertion of only one chest tube leads to a reduction in the cost and duration of hospitalization and improves the patient's postoperative activity, but it is necessary for this study to be evaluated in the larger matched group.