Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the treatment of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax with air leak (AL) using two different chest drainage systems.
Methods: Patients were randomized into two groups: group A included 30 patients (23 males and 7 females, mean age 41.1 ± 16.29 y, range 17-71 y) in which digital drainage system was used, group B with 30 patients (22 males and 8 females, mean age 40.3 ± 15.74 y, range 18-72 y) in which traditional suction drainage system was applied.The following variables were evaluated: intensity of AL, duration of the chest tube drainage, delay in surgery, length of stay, and the overall hospitalization costs.
Results: In group A the mean drainage duration was 47.63 hours, the hospitalization time was about 5.10 days, and the cost of hospitalization was €1,495. In group B the mean drainage duration was 84.93 hours, the hospitalization time was 6.97 days, and the hospitalization cost was €1,925.
Conclusion: The digital drainage system applied in the treatment of AL in patients with pneumothoraces reduced the duration of the drainage, the length of hospital stay, and overall hospitalization costs.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.