The 19Fr Blake Drain versus the 28Fr Conventional Drain after a Lobectomy for Lung Cancer

Abstract

The use of a 19Fr Blake drain instead of a 28Fr conventional drain as a means of performing drainage after a lobectomy for primary lung cancer appears to have no disadvantages.

It is safe and feasible to omit the chest tube postoperatively for selected patients receiving thoracoscopic pulmonary resection: a meta-analysis

“…However, CTP may enhance postoperative pain, deteriorate the ventilation capacity and increase the risk of infectious complication such as pneumonia and empyema, and prolong LOS. Therefore, thoracic surgeons have attempted to control air leakages detected intraoperatively in order to allow chest tubes to be removed early in the postoperative course (20)(21)(22)(23). A number of clinical trials have been conducted to explore the feasibility and safety of omitting chest tube after pulmonary surgery, and found that NCT after pulmonary does not increase the morbidity and mortality, and meanwhile decrease the pain scale postoperatively.…”

A Proposal for Management after Lung Resection, Using a Flexible Silastic Drain

“…Patient consent requirements regarding use of the Blake drain were waived because it has been used previously for pulmonary resection, and the purpose of this study was to evaluate use of the Blake drain in daily practice. 2,[4][5][6][7][8]12 Each patient was informed that their clinical data may be used in studies, and consent was obtained on this basis. The 331 patients consisted of 227 men and 104 women, with a median age of 58 AE 1.2 (range, 16-84) years.…”

“…This drain has a number of advantages over conventional rigid polyvinyl chloride chest drains for use in general thoracic surgery. [1][2][3][4] Recently, the Blake drain has been used for drainage after pulmonary resection. 2,[4][5][6][7][8] This drain may replace standard chest tubes for drainage of pleural spaces in selected cases.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Recently, the Blake drain has been used for drainage after pulmonary resection. 2,[4][5][6][7][8] This drain may replace standard chest tubes for drainage of pleural spaces in selected cases. 4,5 Some advantages of a small silicone drain are: more effective pleural drainage by capillary action as blood and other fluids flow in grooves on the surface of the drain; 9 constant suction over the entire length of the fluted portion, and long channels for drainage; 10 it aids fast-track postoperative recovery; 5 and it allows early ambulation and deep breathing.…”

Is there a real need for a remotely actuated magnetic chest drain device?

“…As stated in the study by Taniguchi et al (10), these changes in practice have been facilitated by the technical evolutions of drainage systems, whose development has been fostered by the inventiveness of the surgeons and by the support of the industry. The characteristics of the drains have evolved to become more flexible, and their calibre has been reduced; all this has resulted in a comfort increase (11). By draining along their whole length, some drains-similar to those used by Taniguchi et al-have seen their drainage capacity enhanced (12)(13)(14).…”