Early versus late chest tube removal after surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The optimal timing of postoperative chest tube removal remains disputable. Traditionally, chest tubes are left in place for several days for adequate pleurodesis and recurrence prevention after surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Currently, early tube removal, defined as immediate removal upon cessation of air leakage, is increasingly practiced. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of early chest tube removal in terms of recurrence in these patients.

Methods

MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched until January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed patients undergoing pleurodesis through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for PSP if chest tube management was clearly described to discriminate between early and late t

SUBMITTER: van Steenwijk QCA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12093158 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature