How safe is to discharge home patients with a chest tube in place? Narrative review
Persistent air leaks (PAL) and excess fluid drainage prolong hospital stays after lung surgery. Studies support outpatient PAL management, reducing costs but posing risks like empyema and readmission. Segmentectomy increases PAL risks, requiring further study. Outpatient pneumothorax treatment is feasible but has mixed results. Structured post-discharge care, including monitoring, is crucial for safe early discharge.
Click here to read more: https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezae165
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