BACKGROUND There is no clear data about the optimum time for chest tube removal after coronary artery bypass surgery. AIM The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the chest tube removal time following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery on the clinical outcome of the patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS An analysis of data from 307 patients was performed. The patients were randomized...

BACKGROUND Chest tube insertion is a standard intervention for management of various injuries of the thorax. Quick and accurate execution facilitates efficient therapy without further complications. Here, we propose a new training concept comprised of e-learning elements as well as continuous rating using an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) tool. The study protocol is...

D Laws, E Neville, J Duffy, on behalf of the British Thoracic Society Pleural Disease Group, a subgroup of the British Thoracic Society Standards of Care Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

TECHNIQUE After drain insertion, a horizontal mattress suture is placed. A simple knot is placed distally half way along the two free ends. The two threads are wrapped tightly together the same way around the tube up to the level of the knot. The free ends of the knot are then passed proximally under the loop of the skin suture (Fig 1). The suture is pulled fi rmly, and the free ends are separa...

fibrinogen and thrombin to reduce air leak, duration of drainage and hospital stay. We welcome their conclusion on the safety and efficacy of biosynthetic sealants to minimise air leaks, a finding which contrasts the conclusions of a recent Cochrane review based on the results of trials that were selected for inclusion [2]. Unfortunately, we cannot agree with their statement that theirs was the...

This audit suggests that clinical practice in the management of spontaneous pneumothorax differs from guidelines issued by the British Thoracic Society. In particular simple aspiration was attempted in only seven out of 65 patients and clamping of an intercostal chest drain occurred in 12 out of 50 cases. Junior medical staff require more training in intercostal drainage.

BACKGROUND Postoperative air leaks are frequent complications after surgery for a spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). We herein describe a new method to test for air leaks by using a transparent film and thoracic tube in a closed system. METHOD Between 2005 and 2010, 35 patients underwent a novel method for evaluating air leaks without submergence, and their clinical records were retrospectively r...

In 62 consecutive cases of pneumothorax, suction treatment was applied by a new method using a recently-developed vacuum pump (Pleupump) allowing the quantification of the volume of air through the chest drain. The previous 62 cases of pneumothorax treated with standard suction equipment were used as a control group. The new technique resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the mea...

Chest tube insertion is a common procedure usually done for the purpose of draining accumulated air or fluid in the pleural cavity. Small-bore chest tubes (≤14F) are generally recommended as the first-line therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax in non-ventilated patients and pleural effusions in general, with the possible exception of hemothoraces and malignant effusions (for which an immediate p...