Are chest drains routinely required after thoracic surgery? A drainology study of on-table chest-drain removals
This retrospective study evaluated protocolized chest drain removal in the operating room following thoracoscopic minor thoracic procedures and sublobar lung resections. Using a digital drainage system, chest tubes were removed immediately when air leak was <20 mL/min at the end of surgery. Despite occasional radiographic pneumothoraces, reintervention was rare, hospital stay was short, and some patients were discharged the same day. These findings suggest that digital air leak–guided on‑table chest drain removal is a safe alternative to routine postoperative drainage in selected patients.
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