Simple continuous suture to strengthen the closure of intra-muscle used in the removal of uni-portal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery thoracic drainage tube.

BACKGROUND

Uni-portal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become a popular type of thoracic surgery. However, improvements to the closure of the single drainage tube hole are still in need.

METHODS

From February 2019 to May 2019, we included 50 patients who received uni-portal VATS for lung disease or mediastinal disease and simple continuous suture to strengthen the closure of intra-muscle combined with removal-free stitches on the skin. Follow-up items included incision length, chest tube drainage amount, chest tube drainage time, incision effusion leakage, postoperative subcutaneous emphysema, postoperative pain score.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients were included in this study, including 23 males and 27 females, with an average age of 60.08±9.73 years old. The mean drainage on the first day after operation was 236.56±141.50 mL, while the mean pain score on the first day after operation was 4.16±1.70. Among 50 patients, only two cases of subcutaneous emphysema occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Applying innovative simple continuous suture to strengthen the closure of intra-muscle combined with removal-free stitches on the skin into the closure of uni-portal VATS is safe and feasible.