O-141USEFULNESS OF FLEXIBLE SILICONE DRAINAGE VERSUS CONVENTIONAL PLASTIC DRAINAGE IN THORACIC SURGERY

Abstract

Objectives: Pleural drainages are used in general thoracic surgery to evacuate air and liquids after surgery. It also works as a witness to detect early postoperative complications. Nowadays rigid drainages are more commonly used but they have some disadvantages like postoperative pain that causes respiratory complications due to less physiotherapy exercises after surgery. Flexible silicone drainages seem to be better tolerated by patients. The aim of this study is to compare flexible versus rigid drainage after lung resection surgery. Method(s): A randomized clinical trial was performed to compare flexible versus rigid drains after lung resection surgery. Two homogeneous groups of 50 patients were enrolled: Group A (rigid plastic drainage 24 Fr Medovations), Group B (round silicone fluted drain 24 Fr BiovacTM). Variables studied: age, gender, pre- and postoperative diagnosis, type of resection and approach, intraoperative incidents, air leaks, subcutaneous emphysema, pleural liquid evacuated, postoperative complications, days with drainage, length of stay (LOS). Statistical analysis: Chi square for qualitative data and Student's t-test for quantitative variables (SSPS 22.0). Result(s): Both groups were comparable and no significant differences were found in age (P = 0.55), gender (P = 0.79), malignant diagnosis (P = 0.61), type of resection (P = 0.21), videothoracoscopic or conventional approach (P = 0.82) and intraoperative complications (P = 0.61). Although LOS seems to be shorter in group B and there were more subcutaneous emphysema in group B, no statistically significant differences were found in any variable. Conclusion(s): According to the data of our study, there are no differences in the efficacy of rigid drainages against flexible silicone drains after lung resection surgery. Considering that the patients better tolerate this kind of drainage, flexible silicon drains can be a good choice after lung surgery.