Association between modified same-intercostal chest tube placement and acute postoperative pain after uniportal VATS lobectomy: an overlap weighted retrospective cohort study

Kang Qi, Weisiyu Abraham Qin, Zhimao Chen, Xining Zhang, Jian Li, Gang Lin and Shijie Zhang  |  April 13, 2026

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 in odds of acute postoperative pain, suggesting this technique may meaningfully improve early pain outcomes.

Link to publication


All Papers »