What factors influence the duration of pneumothorax drainage?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prolonged chest tube duration is less well studied in patients with pneumothorax. We investigated the impact of prolonged chest tube duration on patient outcomes and the risk factors associated with prolonged chest tube duration.

METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 69 subjects who had been treated with chest tube duration for pneumothorax between 2008 and 2015 at Charles Nicolle teaching Hospital. Clinical, demographic data and outcomes were collected and analyzed. The subjects were divided into a prolonged chest tube duration group (> 10 d) and a non-prolonged group (≤ 10 d).

RESULTS: Mean period of chest tube drainage was 9.84 ± 4.35 days, 25% of subjects had prolonged chest tube duration. Compared with non-prolonged group, patients with prolonged chest tube duration group were older (58.38 versus 35.73, p=0.001). Subjects with prolonged chest tube duration were significantly associated with comorbidities (62.5% vs 33.33%; p=0.04), existence of cough (68.75% vs 29.16%; p = 0.005), fever (25% vs 6.25%; p=0.037), Small chest tubes drainage (46.8% vs 18.75; p=0.048), more complications (31.25% vs 2%; p=0.003), a higher number of unresolved pneumothorax (31.25% vs 6.25%; p=0.009) and a longer hospitalization (18.25 days vs 8.44 days; p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Through this study, we could find several predictors of prolonged chest tube duration, and the negative impact on clinical outcomes of these patients. These findings may improve chest tube management.