ThOracoscopic Wedge Resection Treated With Chest Tube Removal Intraoperatively

Pain and Reasons for Hospitalization in Patients Treated Without Post-operative Chest Tube After Thoracoscopic Wedge Resection - A Randomized Controlled Study

Chest tubes are used routinely although preliminary studies demonstrate the feasibility and safety of intraoperative chest drain removal. Previous studies are however either retrospective or mainly concerning benign disease.

Hypothesis: Participants treated without post-operative chest tube after thoracoscopic wedge resection have less pain, better pulmonary function and similar complication profile than participants treated with standard post-operative chest tube, and could possibly be discharged earlier.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elective thoracoscopic wedge resection
• Speaks and understands Danish
• FEV1 >= 60% of expected

Exclusion Criteria:

• Increased risk of air leak evaluated by surgeon (large adhesions, bullae, emphysema, deep resection, etc.)
• Increased risk of bleeding evaluated by surgeon (high INR, anticoagulation not paused, large bleeding, etc.)
• Air leak on intraoperative sealing test
• Patients previously included in study
• Planned intraoperative frozen section with possible lobectomy
• Previously included in current study
• Planned frozen section diagnostics
• Previous ipsilateral anatomic lung resection