A Study to Evaluate Routine Chest Tube Management After Minimally Invasive Lung Surgery

Study to Evaluate a Low Suction (LS) Versus Standard Suction (SS) Strategy for Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Lung Resection by VATS or Robotic Approach

Chest tubes are routinely required after surgical procedures for lung cancer. This device is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the chest wall to remove air or fluid from around your lungs after surgery for lung cancer. There are two general strategies associated with the clinical management of chest tubes, active and passive suction. If suction is compared to driving a car, active suction is similar to pressing the gas pedal while passive suction is like letting your car move on its own. The suction approach taken by surgeons largely depends on how they were trained and some personal biases and beliefs. However there is no general consensus about which chest tube management strategy is best.

This research aims to compare two settings on a digital drainage system, a low suction (LS) mode - passive suction - and standard suction (ss) mode - active suction. From the data collected, the researchers will analyze whether LS or SS will lead to a better recovery after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who are undergoing lobectomy or segmentectomy
2. Patients undergoing wedge resection to diagnose, or as definitive therapy for a lung nodule/cancer.
3. Able to understand and sign consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients undergoing pneumonectomy or bilobectomy
2. Patients undergoing resection for inflammatory conditions such as aspergillosis
3. Patients undergoing diagnostic wedge resection for interstitial lung disease
4. Patients undergoing redo-VATS or thoracotomy on the same side as current planned resection
5. Patients found to have a "frozen chest" at the time of surgery, requiring extensive adhesiolysis,
6. Patients who are discovered to have metastatic disease during the operation, so that resection is no longer indicated.
7. Patients where a clinical decision to place more than one chest-tube is made