Application of small-bore pigtail catheter to improve pleural drainage after single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In order to overcome the problems associated with the drainage of single-incision thoracoscopic surgery, we investigated the efficiency of applying an 8-Fr pigtail catheter in addition to the conventional 26-Fr chest tube. METHODS: This prospective study includes 88 consecutive patients who underwent single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy between July 2017 and March 2018. Patients were treated either with (smaller pigtail group) or without (larger drain group) 8-Fr pigtail catheter in addition to conventional 26-Fr chest tube. Post-operative recovery was assessed by analysing the post-operative drainage volume on the first 2 days, the duration (days) of drainage, re-intubation after 2 weeks, air leak time, length of stay, subcutaneous emphysema, pleural effusion after 2 weeks and pain score. RESULTS: The patients in the pigtail tube group had a significantly shorter drainage time and higher drainage volume on the first 2 days than those in the larger drain group. The percentage of patients that developed pleural effusion after 2 weeks was 4.54% in the smaller pigtail group and 25% in the larger drain group (P = 0.007). The pain score in the smaller pigtail tube group decreased significantly on the third day after surgery compared with larger drain group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the air leak time, subcutaneous emphysema, wound healing and pain score on the first day. CONCLUSION: Application of 8-Fr pigtail catheter after single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy for primary lung cancer can accelerate the post-operative recovery of patients.