Comparison of the effect of chest tube diameter on drainage rate and tube performance in patients with pleural effusion. A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Chest tube insertion is one of the essential procedures that is performed for patients suffering from pneumothorax or pleural effusion. Choosing the best chest tube size, with maximum emptying and minimum discomfort and side effects, is one of the most important factors in patient care, while the best tube size is highly a matter of debate. In this investigation, we aimed to assess the difference between the groups with different chest tube sizes regarding the time needed for drainage, the necessity of additional invasive procedures, or pain severity.

Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with pleural effusion, were entered into the study. patients were randomly divided into two groups based on their chest tube size: size 28 and size 32. Then, the duration of complete effusion emptying and the duration of the chest tube insertion was evaluated.

Results: According to this study, 26 (65.0%) participants were male. The duration for complete evacuation of pleural effusion varied from 3 to 10 days. The average duration of chest tube retention in the group of patients with chest tube sized 28 and 32 were 5.82, and 5.91 days, respectively; The average pain intensity in the group of patients with chest tube sized 28 and 32 were 6.71 ±1.02 and 6.48 ±1.21 units, respectively.

Conclusions: There was no significant difference in how long the chest tube needed to stay in place to fully drain the pleural effusion. They also didn't differ significantly in the need for additional invasive procedures such as VATS, and secondary chest tube insertion. There was no notable difference for pain severity and the need for painkillers in the two groups of patients.