Chest tube management: state of the art

Chest tube protocols are still largely dictated by personal preferences and experience. A general lack of published evidence encourages individual decision-making and hinders the development of clear-cut guidelines. The aim of this review is to establish standardized procedures with recommendations for size and number of inserted tubes, ideal suction levels and duration of thoracostomy.

Novel digital drainage systems markedly reduce interobserver variability in air leak assessment and may thus shorten chest tube duration and overall hospital stay. Paired with a more aggressive stance that allows chest tube removal even with secretion quantities of 500 ml/day, new protocols need to be established.

Thoracic procedures are heterogeneous and postsurgical requirements vary in accordance. Most resections will not require more than one large bore (≥20F) catheter and will benefit from postoperative active suction. Even though only moderate-quality evidence suggests that suction reduces incidence of pneumothorax if compared to water seal and its effects on prolonged air leak are controversial, recent studies encourage application of active suction. Removal of chest tubes appears to be well tolerated even with a secretion of above 450 ml/day.