Effect of Intermittent Clamping of Chest Tubes on Reducing The Duration of Drainage and Length of Hospital Stay Following Lung Cancer Surgery

Abstract

Background: Chest tube management plays a vital role in postoperative recovery after lung cancer surgery. Intermittent clamping may facilitate earlier tube removal, reducing complications, hospital stay and costs. To evaluate the impact of intermittent chest tube clamping on drainage duration and hospital stay following lobectomy.

Materials and methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 40 lobectomy patients at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital, Dhaka (January 2023–August 2024). Patients were allocated into two groups: intermittent clamping (n=20) and continuous drainage (n=20). Data on drainage volume, complications and hospital stay were analyzed.

Results: Baseline demographics and surgical features were comparable. From postoperative days 2–4, the clamping group had significantly lower drainage volumes (p<0.05). Mean hospital stay was shorter in the clamping group (3.42±0.34 days) than in controls (4.12±0.35 days, p=0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that clamping (OR= 3.742, p=0.001), female sex (OR= 2.105, p=0.005) age £60 (OR= 0.544, p=0.045) and VATS (OR= 3.752, p<0.001) independently predicted shorter drainage duration. Complication rates were similar.

Conclusion: Intermittent chest tube clamping is safe and reduces drainage duration and hospital stay after lobectomy, supporting its use in enhanced recovery protocols.

JCMCTA 2026 ; 37 (1) : 79-83