The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

When to remove a chest tube? A randomized study with subsequent prospective consecutive validation. J Am Coll Surg 2002; 195: 658-62

Published: 1st January 2002

Authors: Younes RN, Gross JL, Aguiar S, Haddad FJ, Deheinzelin D.

Conclusion

Some 139 patients who had thoracic surgery were included. Drains were removed either when producing less than 100ml, 150ml or 200ml uninfected fluid per day. Duration of drainage, re-accumulation rates and length of hospital stay were similar in the groups.

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