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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00873587

Clinical Trial Evaluating the Optimal Technique for Chest Tube Removal

There are two commonly used methods to remove chest tubes following thoracotomy. One is to remove the chest tube at maximum inspiration, (patient is asked to take a deep breath in and hold it), and the other is to pull the chest tube at maximum expiration,(patient is asked to blow out as much air as they can can and hold it). There has been considerable discussion among Thoracic surgeons that one of these two methods may decrease the risk of pneumothorax, the most common complication associated with chest tube removal. The investigators will compare the two methods, and also identify risk factors of developing pneumothorax during chest tube removal.

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Key information

Conditions

Chest Tube Removal Death Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pleural Diseases Pneumothorax Respiration Disorders Respiratory Aspiration Respiratory Tract Diseases

Age range

19 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients who are post thoracotomy, pulmonary resection (wedge, lobectomy, segmentectomy, pneumonectomy), AND
  • Have at least one chest tube.

Exclusion criteria

  • Less than 19 years old,
  • With interstitial lung disease, OR
  • Any patient intubated.

Treatment and study plan

Chest tube pull on inspiration

Procedure

Pull chest tube on Inspiration

Expiration

Procedure

Pull chest tube on Expiration

Primary outcomes

  1. Pneumothorax

    Time frame: Within 4 hours after chest tube removal

Secondary outcomes

  1. Morbidity

    Time frame: 4 hours after chest tube removal

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Optimal Technique for Chest Tube Removal

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2012
First posted
Apr 1, 2009
Registry last updated
Oct 14, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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