Omitting Chest Tube Drainage after Subxiphoid Thoracoscopic Thymectomy

Abstract

Background This study investigated the feasibility and safety of omitting chest tube drainage after subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy.

Methods From July 2018 through October 2018, 20 patients underwent subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy without chest tube drainage. The clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes of these patients are presented.

Results All patients (10 males, 10 females; average age: 53.25 ± 12.50 years old) completed the operation. Chest tube drainage was omitted in a total of 20 patients. The operative time was 89.45 ± 49.80 minutes. No adverse events were observed. The bed-side ultrasound examination of the pleural cavity on the day of surgery showed a thimbleful of effusion and did not require thoracentesis. A postoperative chest roentgenogram on the next morning showed full expansion without pneumothorax in all patients. None of the patients required reintervention with chest drainage through the time of discharge.

Conclusion The omission of chest tube drainage may be an alternative procedure for selected patients undergoing thoracoscopic thymectomy. The omission of chest tubes in thymectomy is safe, but further investigation is required.

Keywords

mediastinal tumor - thoracoscopic - postoperative - care

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