Abstract
Background: The conventional method of double chest tube drainage after lobectomy is well established.
The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of the two-drain versus the single-drain
approach after this procedure. Methods: The data of 183 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy between January 2000
and May 2005 were analyzed: 93 had two drains and 90 had a single, midposition drain.
All patients were operated on by one surgeon with the same surgical technique. Results: Patients with one drain had a shorter hospital stay (7.6 days vs. 9.0 days; p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the amount of drainage, the necessity
of redrainage or broncho-aspiration, and postoperative mortality or complications.
The period in which opioids (4.8 days vs. 5.6 days; p = 0.0001) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (6.8 days vs. 7.7 days; p = 0.002) were required was shorter in patients with one drain. The fourth postoperative
day was more painful for patients with a double drain. The cost savings in the one-drain
group were approximately 125 Euros per patient. Conclusion: A single-drain method is effective, reduces hospitalization times and the cost of
treatment in patients who undergo lobectomy.
Key words
lobectomy - dainage - redrainage
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Konrad Pawelczyk
Department of Thoracic Surgery
Wroclaw Medical University
ul. Grabiszynska 105
53439 Wroclaw
Poland
Phone: + 48 7 13 34 94 75
Fax: + 48 7 13 34 96 03
Email: kopaw@wp.pl
