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Meta-Analysis
. 2016 May 27;11(1):88.
doi: 10.1186/s13019-016-0484-1.

Single chest tube drainage is superior to double chest tube drainage after lobectomy: a meta-analysis

Dong Zhou  1 , Xu-Feng Deng  1 , Quan-Xing Liu  1 , Qian Chen  2 , Jia-Xin Min  1 , Ji-Gang Dai  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Single chest tube drainage is superior to double chest tube drainage after lobectomy: a meta-analysis

Dong Zhou et al. J Cardiothorac Surg. .

Abstract

Background: In this meta-analysis, we conducted a pooled analysis of clinical studies comparing the efficacy of single chest tube versus double chest tube after a lobectomy.

Methods: According to the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration, we established a rigorous study protocol. We performed a systematic electronic search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases to identify articles to include in our meta-analysis. A literature search was performed using relevant keywords. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan© software.

Results: Five studies, published between 2003 and 2014, including 630 patients (314 patients with a single chest tube and 316 patients with a double chest tube), met the selection criteria. From the available data, the patients using a single tube demonstrated significantly decreased postoperative pain [weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.60; 95 % confidence intervals [CIs] -0.68-- 0.52; P < 0.00001], duration of drainage [WMD -0.70; 95 % CIs -0.90-- 0.49; P < 0.00001] and hospital stay [WMD -0.51; 95 % CIs -0.91-- 0.12; P = 0.01] compared to patients using a double tube after a pulmonary lobectomy. However, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications [OR 0.91; 95 % CIs 0.57-1.44; P = 0.67] and re-drainage rates [OR 0.81; 95 % CIs 0.42-1.58; P = 0.54].

Conclusion: Our results showed that a single-drain method is effective, reducing postoperative pain, hospitalization times and duration of drainage in patients who undergo a lobectomy. Moreover, the single-drain method does not increase the occurrence of postoperative complications and re-drainage rates.

Keywords: Chest tube; Complications; Drainage; Lobectomy; Pain.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the literature search according to the PRISMA statement
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot for postoperative pain
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot for duration of drainage
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot for length of hospital stay
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Forest plot for postoperative complications
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Forest plot for re-drainage rate
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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