Investigation of an Adaptive Treatment Algorithm for Post-op Thoracic Patients to Reduce the Length of Drainage

Implementation of an Adaptive Algorithm to Improve Chest Tube Therapy in Patients With Pulmonary Leaks Following Thoracic Surgery

The purpose of this study is to reduce the length of drainage using a treatment protocol to control the manipulation of the applied vacuum to the pleural cavity.

In this prospective study, a treatment algorithm is tested in a subgroup of patients with postoperative pulmo-pleural fistula. The primary aim is to reduce the duration of pulmo-pleural fistulation. Secondary aim is to reduce the duration of chest tube therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a post operative air leak after 16 to 24 hours bigger than 50ml/min.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with an empyema
• Patients with a spontaneous pneumothorax