Ashley J. McCormack, Katherine G. Phillips and Robert J. Cerfolio  |  December 10, 2025

This prospective quality improvement study evaluated chest tube removal in the operating room after robotic pulmonary resection using digital air‑leak assessment. In selected patients with minimal air leak, immediate removal was feasible, with most discharged on postoperative day 1. Chest tube reinsertion was infrequent and manageable. These results suggest that…

Pedro Henrique Xavier Nabuco de Araújo, João Paulo Cassiano de Macedo, Paula Duarte D'Ambrosio, Paulo Manuel Pêgo-Fernandes, Ricardo Mingarini Terra  |  November 4, 2025

This propensity-matched retrospective study compared digital and conventional chest drainage following anatomical lung resection using standardized chest tube removal criteria in a resource-limited setting. No significant differences were observed in chest tube duration or hospital length of stay. However, the authors note that prior studies have demonstrated shorter drainage duration…

Lars Geenen, Koen C. H. A. Verkoulen, Aimée J. P. M. Franssen, Juliette H. R. J. Degens, Karel W. E. Hulsewé, Yvonne L. J. Vissers, Erik R. de Loos  |  August 31, 2025

This comprehensive review examines current strategies and evidence for chest drainage after lung cancer surgery, highlighting ongoing debates over optimal removal criteria and drainage techniques—including suction versus water seal and digital versus analogue systems. Despite extensive research, no consensus has been reached due to conflicting results and limited high-quality evidence.…

Kazuya Takamochi, Makoto Endo, Kazuhito Funai, Tomohiro Haruki, Morihito Okada, Masahiro Tsuboi, Yoshitaka Kitamura, Shiaki Oh, Shuko Nojiri, Kenji Suzuki, and the Advanced Clinical Trial Chest Surgery Group (ACTG)  |  August 29, 2025

This multicenter, randomized controlled trial compared two intrathoracic pressure settings (−8 cmH₂O vs. −15 cmH₂O) in digital pleural drainage for patients with moderate air leaks after lung resection. No significant differences were found in prolonged air leak rates, air leak duration, chest tube duration, or hospital stay between groups. The…

Conor M. Maxwell, Benny Weksler, Kevin Shahbahrami, Brent Williams, Kurt DeHaven, Pam Kuchta, Kara Specht, and Hiran C. Fernando  |  July 31, 2025

This randomized study compared standard suction (−20 cmH₂O) and low suction (−8 cmH₂O) using digital drainage after minimally invasive lung resection. Both approaches, with a single 24 Fr Blake drain and a removal threshold of 450 mL/24 h, were safe and effective. However, low suction did not shorten air leak…

Wytze S. de Boer, Richard N. Hartman, Quinten S.D. Muller, Mireille A. Edens, Dirk Jan Slebos, Marieke L. Duiverman, Jos A. Stigt  |  March 28, 2025

This single-center, non-inferiority trial assessed whether chest tube removal based solely on digital drainage data is as safe as traditional clamping trials. Among 92 patients—primarily post-lung surgery—no significant difference in chest tube reinsertion rates was observed. Notably, clamping led to pneumothorax progression in over 13% of cases. The findings support…

Alexander Smith, Akshay Patel, Muhammad Mansoor, Raya Almaraihah, Kevin Sales, Khine Wai, Krishna Mani, Adnan Charaf, Marjan Jahangiri  |  May 2, 2025

This study compared digital and underwater seal drainage systems in cardiac surgery patients. After matching patients for comparison, those using digital drainage had a significantly lower risk of post-operative atrial fibrillation. However, there were no differences in other outcomes like bleeding, tamponade, pleural effusion, or drain output. The findings suggest…

Alison Embalabala, Brian Mitzman, Traves Crabtree  |  March 28, 2025

This article identifies and summarizes the current comparative data between digital drains and traditional pleural devices. Some randomized controlled trials found no significant difference between digital and analogue systems. Others reported shorter chest tube duration and length of stay with digital devices. Meta-analyses support these findings, though variations in protocols…

Ashiq Abdul Khader, Eric Lim  |  March 28, 2025

This review highlights that chest drain duration is a key determinant of recovery after anatomical lung resection and that considerable variation remains in drain removal practices. Evidence suggests that digital drainage systems combined with objective air leak–based protocols can safely expedite chest tube removal, often by postoperative day 1. The…

Jurij M Kalisnik , Vitalijs Zujs , Janez Zibert , Islam Batashev , Spela Leiler , Jacob Arne B Carstensen , Jan-Niklas Krohn , Theodor Fischlein  |  March 28, 2025

This retrospective study compared conventional chest drainage, active tube clearance, and portable digital drainage following myocardial revascularization. Both active tube clearance and digital drainage reduced interventions for retained blood syndrome, while portable digital drainage was associated with fewer re-explorations for bleeding and a substantially lower incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.…