Comparing the use of the Medela Thopaz+ digital drainage system and conventional thoracic drainage techniques in lung...

Thoracic drainage is a standard component of lung resections. It serves as a postoperative control of the pleural cavity, drains fluid, and detects air leaks. The digital drainage system allows more accurate detection and quantification of air leak.

The primary objective of this study is to compare the duration of drain-age with a conventional three-chamber drainage system versus the Medela Thopaz+ digital drainage system in patients undergoing lung resection for tumor. This is a prospective randomized study, conducted between 2017-2020. A total of 154 patients were enrolled in the study, divided into two groups, a group using conventional chest drain-age (group K, N = 84) and a group using the digital chest drain (group D, N = 70). In these groups, patients were then divided according to the extent of lung resection (anatomical, group A, and non-anatomical, group N).

There was no significant difference in drainage duration between digital and conventional drainage in the study group (drainage duration: group A, P = 0.865, group N, P = 0.775). The incidence of air leak was 33% in group K and 52% in group D, of which prolonged air leak occurred in 3.6 vs. 2.8% (K vs. D).

Digital chest drainage does not affect the duration of drainage and thus shorten hospital stay, considering the extent of lung resection. However, it represents a more accurate and easier control of postoperative air leak and pleural secretion. The advantages include the easy handling of the device and the possibility of reusing the drain with a reduction of costs.