Retrospective analysis of the relationship between time of thoracostomy drain removal and discharge time.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the volume of fluid being produced at the time of thoracostomy drain removal and the time to hospital discharge in dogs and cats.

METHODS

Records of 101 dogs and 26 cats with thoracostomy drains were reviewed. Three subgroups were created according to the reason for thoracostomy drain placement: P (postsurgical), A (air) and F (fluid). A generalised linear model with Poisson Errors was performed to test the relationship between the volume of fluid produced at the time of thoracostomy drain removal and the time to discharge. The volume of fluid produced and the time to discharge were compared between species and subgroups.

RESULTS

No significant relationship was found between the volume of fluid produced at the time of thoracostomy drain removal and the time to discharge in either species or between the time to discharge and the reason for thoracostomy drain placement. Animals with a volume of fluid higher than 2 ml/kg/day at the time of thoracostomy drain removal did not have increased hospitalisation times.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Thoracostomy drain can be removed, without clinical compromise, when the volume of fluid produced exceeds 2 ml/kg/day. However, other clinical parameters must be taken into consideration.