Coaxial SIL Drains Less Painful Yet Equally Effective as PVC Drains after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lung resections: Study

 Sixty-nine patients were included in the final analysis: 35 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group. The groups were comparable in terms of drainage efficacy and short-term treatment outcome, but pain was significantly lower in the experimental group (coaxial SIL drain). Diclofenac consumption was significantly lower in the experimental group (P=0.004), with a trend toward lower consumption of other analgesics. All respiratory muscle strength measurements were higher in the experimental group, with significant differences in static MIP on the second postoperative day (P=0.046), both static (P=0.02) and dynamic (P=0.050) MEP on the first postoperative day, and static MEP on the second postoperative day (P=0.02). Static VAS (S-VAS) on the first postoperative day was statistically significantly lower in the experimental group (P=0.003). Dynamic VAS (D-VAS) was comparable between the groups.

This study confirmed the hypothesis that coaxial SIL drains, owing to their softer material, cause less pain while maintaining efficacy comparable to standard PVC drains.

Reference:

Boris Greif, Janez Žgajnar, Tomaž Štupnik,  Impact of chest tube type on pain, drainage efficacy, and short-term treatment outcome following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial comparing coaxial silicone drains and standard polyvinyl chloride drains, Journal of Thoracic Disease, DOI:10.21037/jtd-24-1489