One or two drains after lobectomy? A comparison of both methods in the immediate postoperative period.

BACKGROUND

The conventional method of double chest tube drainage after lobectomy is well established. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of the two-drain versus the single-drain approach after this procedure.

METHODS

The data of 183 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy between January 2000 and May 2005 were analyzed: 93 had two drains and 90 had a single, midposition drain. All patients were operated on by one surgeon with the same surgical technique.

RESULTS

Patients with one drain had a shorter hospital stay (7.6 days vs. 9.0 days; P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the amount of drainage, the necessity of redrainage or broncho-aspiration, and postoperative mortality or complications. The period in which opioids (4.8 days vs. 5.6 days; P = 0.0001) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (6.8 days vs. 7.7 days; P = 0.002) were required was shorter in patients with one drain. The fourth postoperative day was more painful for patients with a double drain. The cost savings in the one-drain group were approximately 125 Euros per patient.

CONCLUSION

A single-drain method is effective, reduces hospitalization times and the cost of treatment in patients who undergo lobectomy.