This randomized controlled trial compared chest drain management with (at -20 cmH2O) versus without (at -8 cmH2O) suction after lung resection using a digital system. Avoiding suction (-8 cmH2O) significantly shortened chest tube duration without affecting hospital stay or prolonged air leak rates. Continuous suction was independently associated with delayed…
Read more »This retrospective bicentric study compared VATS pleurodesis with versus without primary indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) placement for recurrent pleural effusions. Combined IPC implantation significantly reduced chest drainage duration and hospital length of stay without increasing complications or operative time. These findings suggest that integrating IPC into surgical pleural management may…
Read more »This prospective multicentre implementation study evaluated the impact of Enhanced Recovery After Thoracic Surgery (ERATS) protocol adherence on outcomes in 727 patients undergoing anatomical lung resection. Higher ERATS adherence was significantly associated with shorter length of stay and fewer postoperative complications. These findings support improving compliance with ERATS elements to…
Read more »This multicenter retrospective cohort study evaluated ultrafine pigtail chest tubes after uniportal VATS for lung tumors in 1076 patients. After propensity score matching, two 8 Fr ultrafine chest tubes were associated with lower early postoperative pain, reduced early drainage volume, and fewer complications such as atelectasis and intrathoracic hemorrhage compared…
Read more »This observational study evaluated CheLSEA, an artificial intelligence–based clinical decision support system for chest tube management after pulmonary resection. In 50 patients, CheLSEA generated safe recommendations, with safeguards triggered in 21% of queries for higher-risk findings. Chest tube removal was recommended in 9% of cases, with 83% deemed safe and…
Read more »This quality improvement project evaluated the safety and feasibility of introducing a digital chest drain system in paediatric surgical patients. Retrospective data from 49 patients showed the digital drain was used in older and heavier children and demonstrated a trend toward shorter chest drain duration compared with underwater drainage, without…
Read more »This retrospective cohort study evaluated a modified tunneled intercostal chest tube placement to reduce acute pain after uniportal VATS lobectomy. Among 1082 patients, the modified technique was associated with lower rates of moderate-to-severe pain within 24 hours compared with conventional placement (16.8% vs 27.1%). Adjusted analyses showed a 48% reduction…
Read more »This randomized study compared a non-powered AEON Endostapler with a powered Echelon Flex stapler in patients with severe lung emphysema undergoing lung volume reduction surgery. Thirty-two procedures in 19 patients were monitored digitally for postoperative air leaks. The non-powered stapler showed fewer immediate air leaks (35% vs 60%) and a…
Read more »This large single‑center 25‑year cohort study confirms that lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) significantly improves lung function with low perioperative mortality. Prolonged air leak was the most frequent complication, affecting over 25% of patients and requiring reintervention in a subset. These findings highlight persistent air‑leak burden as a key determinant…
Read more »This GRADE‑based consensus provides evidence‑informed recommendations for managing postoperative prolonged air leaks after lung surgery. Key guidance includes standardized air‑leak assessment, preference for digital drainage systems, and individualized selection between water seal and suction based on leak severity and clinical context. A stepwise framework (digital monitoring, tailored drainage strategy, and…
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