Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Subcostal Specimen Removal in Completely Portal Robotic Lobectomy
Published on: April 19, 2024
Postoperative chest tube management: snapshot of German diversity
Albert Linder1, Clemens Ertner, Volker Steger
1Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, Klinikum Bremen Ost, Bremen, Germany.
Objectives:
The management of chest tubes is one of the most critical aspects in patient care in thoracic surgery, and no consensus exists regarding the ideal chest tube management strategy.
Methods:
Chest tube management protocols and their effects on chest tube therapy were compared at four German specialist thoracic surgery units. Altogether, 79 patients were stratified for underlying disease and type of surgery. A digital chest drainage system was applied to objectify the presence of air leakages.
Results:
In our analysis, the average length of drainage therapy was 4.9 ± 2.8 days. Different chest tube management protocols resulted in a significant degree of scatter between units (P = 0.0348). Higher arbitrary postoperative suction levels (4 kPa) resulted in earlier chest tube removal than lower suction levels (2 kPa) (4.2 ± 2.4 vs 5.4 ± 3.0 days, P = 0.06). Patient discharge following chest tube removal was delayed on average by 3.2 ± 2.9 days. This delay was not correlated with the previous duration of chest tube therapy (Spearman's ρ=-0.15, P = 0.25) in contrast to the total length of hospital stay (ρ = 0.59, P < 0.001).
Related Concept Videos
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening (stoma) in the anterior part of the trachea. It is used to establish a patient airway, bypass an upper airway obstruction, simplify the removal of secretions, permit long-term...
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...