Thoracoscopic Partial Pneumonectomy with and without Postoperative Thoracic Drainage Tube

To compare thoracic drainage tube placement on clinical outcomes and serum CRP, IL-6, cortisol in patients undergoing thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy.

Analytical study.

Yulin Second Hospital, China, between January 2017 and January 2022.   Methodology: Eighty-four patients with lung cancer who underwent thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy were studied. A thoracic drainage tube was placed postoperatively (Group A, n=41). Otherwise, a thoracic drainage tube was not placed if an air leak was not detected in the suction-induced leak test postoperatively (Group B, n=43). Difference effect was compared.

Postoperative hospitalisation time and incidence of postoperative subcutaneous emphysema in Group A were lower than those in Group B (p<0.001 and p=0.038 respectively). On the 1st day before surgery, the differences in serum CRP, IL-6, and cortisol were not significant between the two groups (p= 0.443, 0.644, and 0.738 respectively); on the 1st day after surgery, levels of serum CRP, IL-6, and cortisol in Group A were lower than those in Group B (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.001 respectively).

Postoperative hospitalisation time and the frequency of postoperative subcutaneous emphysema were lower in patients of thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy without placing thoracic drainage tubes. The degree of surgery-induced stress was also lower. The decision not to leave the thoracic drainage tube may be considered reasonable and safe if the criteria are carefully selected.

Thoracoscopy, Thoracic tube drainage, Partial pneumonectomy, Cortisol, IL-6, CRP level.