Patients with lung cancer who undergo a Complete
Video-Assisted Thoracic Lobectomy have a chest tube placed to assist with the
re-inflammation of the lung. Postoperative pain and nerve irritation are the
most common issues the patient suffers from after this procedure. The EBA
article listed below dives into the idea of removing the chest tube earlier
than usual to prevent the patient from suffering too long. 154 patients were
included in the study, 97 patients had the Complete Video-Assisted Thoracic Lobectomy
and 57 patients had an Open Thoracic Lobectomy. The CVATL group were broken
into two groups; control (tube was removed when drainage volume was <100
ml/day) and experimental (tube was removed on the 2nd post-operative
day. The volume of drainage was significantly lower in both CVATL groups when
compared to the Open Thoracic Lobectomy group. Pain alleviation was reported
earlier pos-op by both CVATL groups than the Open Thoracic Lobectomy patients therefore,
they were on a quicker path to recovery. The EBA has proved that it is safe and
feasible to remove the chest tube early with minimal need for reinsertion or
having a thoracenthesis performed after a CVATL. I think it is pretty cool how
surgery has become minimally invasive and patients are able to recover at a
quicker pace due to reduction in pain and potential for infection.
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