Clamping trials prior to thoracostomy tube removal and the need for subsequent invasive pleural drainage

Clamping trials —a brief period of clamping thoracostomy tubes prior to removal—may help reveal occult air leaks, minimizing the risk of needing a subsequent procedure to drain the pleural space. In this retrospective cohort study of patients with traumatic injury, clamping trials were associated with a reduced likelihood of a subsequent ipsilateral pleural drainage procedure within 30 days [adjusted OR 0.41 (95% CI 0.20–0.84)].

Source: American Journal of Surgery - January 7, 2020 Category: Surgery Authors: James C. Becker, Scott A. Zakaluzny, Benjamin A. Keller, Joseph M. Galante, Garth H. Utter Source Type: research