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Practice Guideline
. 2024 Oct;118(4):764-777.
doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.04.016. Epub 2024 May 8.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Document on the Management of Pleural Drains After Pulmonary Lobectomy: Expert Consensus Document

Michael S Kent  1 , Brian Mitzman  2 , Ilitch Diaz-Gutierrez  3 , Onkar V Khullar  4 , Hiran C Fernando  5 , Leah Backhus  6 , Alessandro Brunelli  7 , Stephen D Cassivi  8 , Robert J Cerfolio  9 , Traves D Crabtree  10 , Jahnavi Kakuturu  11 , Linda W Martin  12 , Daniel P Raymond  13 , Lana Schumacher  14 , J W Awori Hayanga  11
Affiliations
Practice Guideline

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Document on the Management of Pleural Drains After Pulmonary Lobectomy: Expert Consensus Document

Michael S Kent et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Evidence-Based Surgery provides this document on management of pleural drains after pulmonary lobectomy. The goal of this consensus document is to provide guidance regarding pleural drains in 5 specific areas: (1) choice of drain, including size, type, and number; (2) management, including use of suction vs water seal and criteria for removal; (3) imaging recommendations, including the use of daily and postpull chest roentgenograms; (4) use of digital drainage systems; and (5) management of prolonged air leak. To formulate the consensus statements, a task force of 15 general thoracic surgeons was invited to review the existing literature on this topic. Consensus was obtained using a modified Delphi method consisting of 2 rounds of voting until 75% agreement on the statements was reached. A total of 13 consensus statements are provided to encourage standardization and stimulate additional research in this important area.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures Michael S. Kent reports a relationship with Intuitive Surgical Inc that includes: consulting or advisory and speaking and lecture fees. Brian Mitzman reports a relationship with Intuitive Surgical Inc that includes: consulting or advisory; and is on the editorial board of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Leah Backhus reports a relationship with Genentech Inc that includes: consulting or advisory; with Medtronic that includes: consulting or advisory; with Bristol-Myers Squibb that includes: consulting or advisory; and with AstraZeneca R&D Reims that includes: consulting or advisory. Alessandro Brunelli reports a relationship with AstraZeneca R&D Reims that includes: consulting or advisory; with Bristol-Myers Squibb that includes: consulting or advisory; with Ethicon Inc that includes: consulting or advisory; with Merck Sharp & Dohme UK Ltd that includes: consulting or advisory; with Medtronic that includes: consulting or advisory; and with Roche that includes: consulting or advisory. Stephen D. Cassivi reports a relationship with Drainology that includes: board membership. Linda W. Martin reports a relationship with Ethicon Inc that includes: speaking and lecture fees; with Genentech Inc that includes: speaking and lecture fees; with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP that includes: board membership; and with On Target Laboratories LLC that includes: consulting or advisory. Lana Schumacher reports a relationship with Intuitive Surgical Inc that includes: consulting or advisory. All other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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