ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate pleural drainage using a one-way flutter valve following elective lung resection. Methods: This was a prospective study, with descriptive analysis, of 39 lung resections performed using a one-way flutter valve to achieve pleural drainage during the postoperative period. Patients less than 12 years of age were excluded, as were those submitted to pneumonectomy or emergency surgery, those who were considered lost to follow-up and those in whom water-seal drainage was used as the initial method of pleural drainage. Lung expansion, duration of the drainage, hospital stay and postoperative complications were noted. Results: A total of 36 patients were included and analyzed in this study. The mean duration of pleural drainage was 3.0 ± 1.6 days. At 30 days after the surgical procedure, chest X-ray results were considered normal for 34 patients (95.2%). Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (22.4%) and were related to the drainage system in 3 (8.4%) of those. Conclusions: The use of a one-way flutter valve following elective lung resection was effective, was well tolerated and presented a low rate of complications.

Keywords: Drainage; Postoperative complications; Thoracic surgery.

RESUMO

Objetivo: Avaliar a drenagem pleural através de válvula unidirecional de tórax no pós-operatório de ressecção pulmonar eletiva. Métodos: Foram realizadas 39 ressecções pulmonares, de forma prospectiva e com análise descritiva, em pacientes que utilizaram a válvula unidirecional de tórax (VUT) como o método de drenagem pleural durante o período pós-operatório. Foram excluídos os pacientes com idade inferior a 12 anos, os submetidos à pneumectomia ou a operação de urgência, os que não completaram o seguimento do estudo e os pacientes que utilizaram o sistema de frasco em selo d'água como método inicial de drenagem pleural. Observou-se a expansão pulmonar, o tempo de permanência com o sistema de drenagem, o período de internação e as complicações pós-operatórias. Resultados: Neste estudo, foram incluídos e analisados 36 pacientes. A média de permanência com o sistema de drenagem pleural foi de 3,0 ± 1,6 dias. O laudo da radiografia de tórax, realizado após 30 dias do procedimento cirúrgico foi considerado normal em 34 (95,2%) pacientes. Ocorreram oito (22,4%) casos de complicações pós-operatórias, sendo três (8,4%) relacionadas à VUT. Conclusões: A utilização da VUT no pós-operatório de ressecção pulmonar eletiva foi eficiente, bem tolerada e apresentou baixo índice de complicação.

Palavras-chave: Drenagem; Complicações pós-operatórias; Cirurgia torácica.

Introduction

After any surgical procedure involving the opening of the pleura, the thoracic cavity must be drained in order to facilitate adequate pulmonary reexpansion and allow the outflow of blood, fluids and air.

The conventional system of pleural drainage currently in use in the treatment of pleural diseases and in the postoperative period following thoracic surgery is the same as that described by Kenyon in 1916.(1) This method consists of inserting the distal extremity of the tube into a liquid column, contained inside a flask, whose cap has two openings: one for the passage of the drainage tube and one for ventilation (air vent). This is known as a water-seal drainage system. The use of this system in the postoperative period following thoracic surgery was described and disseminated by Lilienthal in 1922.(2)

Most surgeons use water-seal drainage with or without continuous suction in the postoperative period following elective lung resection. This system is efficient, safe and affordable. However, using these flasks might cause risks, disadvantages and inconveniences for patients: they are heavy and large; they restrict the mobility of patients(3,4); frequent clamping performed during transport might cause pulmonary collapse and formation of clots,(3,5) as well as hypertensive pneumothorax; the placement of the flask, always kept in a level below the thorax of the patient, facilitates the disconnection of one of the connections(3); and the bubbling inside the flask, when connected to continuous suction, causes an unpleasant sound.(6)

We must emphasize the fact that using this method in a prehospital environment is inappropriate, because it is not only difficult to keep the flask below the patient, but it is also necessary to perform frequent clamping inside the limited space of an ambulance.(7)

In 1968, Henry Heimlich idealized a device in order to replace water-seal drainage systems, which was initially used in the treatment of American soldiers with thoracic trauma during the Vietnam War. The following advantages of a one-way valve were described: it provides better mobility of patients; clamping is unnecessary during transportation; the valve keeps working regardless of its position or level; nursing and medical teams can easily understand how it works; and it is safer and easier to clean.(3)

Since then, interest in developing an alternative and adequate thoracic drainage system has been reported in the literature.(4,6-8)

The objective of this study was to evaluate pleural drainage using a one-way flutter valve in the postoperative period following elective lung resection. This valve is similar to the Heimlich valve and was developed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto in 1988. In the department, the one-way flutter valve has since been used in the outpatient treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.(9)

Methods

The one-way flutter valve is similar to the Heimlich valve and presents the following characteristics:

 It is a silicone rubber device, with a long flat tubular shape, 93 mm long and with a diameter of 13 mm. The proximal tubular-shaped extremity is adapted to a connector for the drainage tube. The remainder of the body of the valve, up to the distal extremity, is flat, so that both of its sides remain in touch with each other (closed). Therefore, the valve allows the outflow of air and fluids from the pleural space but prevents their return.

 The valve is inserted into a transparent plastic cylinder, 111 mm long, with a diameter of 22 mm, whose cone-shaped extremities have adequate caliber and grooves for their adaptation to tubes of various sizes (proximal extremity) and fluid-collection bags or tubes (distal extremity). The device is 172 cm long and weighs 15 g.

In the period from February of 2002 to December of 2003, 39 lung resections were performed in two hospitals in the city of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil: the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto and the Hospital Ribeirânia.

Lung resections included in this study were lobectomy, segmentectomy, bullectomy, wedge resection (excision of a nodule) and lung biopsy. All of the surgical procedures were performed by the same team, who always used similar surgical and anesthetic techniques.

During surgery, right after the insertion and fixation of the drainage tube to the chest wall, the one-way flutter valve was attached to the distal extremity of the tube (Figure 1). Transparent multiperforated PVC chest tubes with lateral radiopaque lines were used.



Two drainage tubes were used in lobectomies and segmentectomies, whereas a single tube was used in minor resections and bullectomies.

Most of the patients were extubated in the operating room and remained under observation for 6 h in the recovery room. During that period, patients received supplemental oxygen via a Venturi mask and were monitored by means of echocardiography, pulse oximetry and noninvasive determinations of arterial blood pressure. Following lobectomies and segmentectomies, most patients spent the postoperative period in intensive care units.

During the postoperative period, lung expansion, duration of drainage using the one-way flutter valve, hospital stay and postoperative complications were noted. The patients were submitted to chest X-rays in the immediate postoperative period, after the removal of the drainage system and during the 90-day, postoperative outpatient follow-up period.

The criteria used for tube removal were lung expansion, blood output rate lower than 200 mL/24 h and no air leak.

The postoperative complications considered in this study were subdivided into two groups:

 Group 1 - Complications related to the pleural drainage system using the one-way flutter valve:

a) valve obstruction due to blood clots, preventing gases, blood and fluids from flowing out of the thoracic cavity
b) valve collapse, preventing gases, blood and fluids from flowing out of the thoracic cavity
c)disconnection of the valve and the tube
d) gas reflux through the one-way flutter valve
e) accidental removal of the valve
f) inverted positioning of the valve into the chest tube

 Group 2 - Other complications:

a) pneumonia
b) infected surgical wound
c) empyema
d) septicemia
e) pulmonary atelectasis
f) hypertensive pneumothorax
g) respiratory insufficiency
h) prolonged air leak (over 7 days)

Patients less than 12 years of age were excluded, as were those submitted to pneumonectomy or emergency surgery, those who were considered lost to follow-up and those in whom water-seal drainage was used as the initial method of pleural drainage.

Chest tubes were never clamped during the postoperative period. We considered using the water-seal drainage system, with or without continuous suction, only when the one-way flutter valve method failed.

We defined failure of the drainage system as when patients presented one of the following characteristics: moderate-to-high volumes of intrathoracic fluids within the first 24 h after surgery; pulmonary collapse, higher than 30% of lung expansion by postoperative day 3; hypertensive pneumothorax; and respiratory insufficiency.

The postoperative follow-up period was 90 days, and follow-up evaluation consisted of outpatient visits and chest X-rays.

All participating patients or their legal guardians gave written informed consent.

The study design was approved by the Ethics in Research Committee of the State University at Campinas School of Medical Sciences (Protocol no. 543/2002). This study meets all of the requirements described in Brazilian National Health Council Resolutions 196/96 and 251/97.

This was a prospective study, with descriptive analysis of the data stored in a spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel®). We used the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test (nonparametric analysis of variance) together with Dunn's post-test in order to evaluate the difference noted in the duration of drainage in the postoperative period following lung resection. The level of significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05).

Results

Of the 39 patients submitted to lung resection within the period of this study, 3 were excluded for having been submitted to emergency surgery. No deaths occurred in the perioperative period, and 36 patients completed the study.

The mean age was 48.6 years (median, 50 years; range, 13-77 years). Of the 36 patients, 22 (61.6%) were male and 14 (39.2%) were female.

Of the 36 patients, 17 (47.6%) were smokers and 21 (58.8%) presented at least one comorbidity. Previous diseases and comorbidities, as noted through anamnesis, physical examination and complementary tests, were as follows: cardiac arrhythmia; asthma; cancer of the larynx; diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), systemic arterial hypertension, hypothyroidism, mitral insufficiency, symplastic leiomyoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, spontaneous pneumothorax, acute myocardial infarction and illicit drug use.

Of the 36 lung resections, 10 were lung biopsies, 10 were wedge resections, 2 were segmentectomies, 8 were lobectomies, and 6 were bullectomies. Conventional thoracotomy was the surgical technique used to gain access to the pleural cavity of 33 patients (92.4%), whereas video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed in 3 patients (8.4%).

All patients were submitted to chest X-rays in the immediate postoperative period. Of the 36 patients, 25 (70%) presented complete lung expansion, whereas 11 (30.8%) revealed some degree of pulmonary collapse.

Removal of the chest drainage system ranged from 1 day to 8 days after the surgical procedure (in 19.6% and 2.8%, respectively), with a mean of 3.0 ± 1.6 days and median of 3.0.

The results of the chest X-rays performed after the removal of the drainage system were considered normal in 26 patients (72.8%), whereas incomplete lung expansion was seen in 8 patients (22.4%), small pleural effusion was seen in 1 (2.8%), and 1 (2.8%) developed pneumonia (Table 1).



The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.5 ± 2.4 days (median, 4 days).

According to the anatomopathological examination results, the diagnoses of patients were classified into eight subgroups: lung cancer; blebs/bullae; benign pulmonary nodule; interstitial lung diseases; cystic lung diseases; benign neoplasia; pulmonary tuberculosis; and pleural tumor.

At 30 days after the surgical procedure, the X-rays of 34 patients (95.2%) were considered normal, whereas 2 patients (5.6%) presented residual pleural space (pneumothorax-less than 30% of complete lung expansion).

Table 2 shows that 3 (11.2%) of the patients presented postoperative complications related to the one-way flutter valve drainage system. However, the investigation of all postoperative complications revealed 8 cases (22.4%): 3 (8.4%) related to the drainage system; 2 (5.6%) due to pneumonia; 1 (2.8%) due to dehiscence of the chest wall; 1 (2.8%) due to bronchopleural fistula and empyema; and 1 (2.8%) due to atelectasis and subcutaneous emphysema.



Of the 36 cases, only 1 (2.8%) was classified as a case of failure of the drainage system. In that case, we chose to replace the valve with a water-seal drainage system.

Discussion


The presence of air, blood or fluids in the thoracic cavity counters the negative pressure within the pleural space and causes pulmonary collapse. Therefore, it is necessary to drain the thoracic cavity in order to promote adequate lung expansion, as well as to reestablish cardiorespiratory function and negative intrapleural pressure.(10)

Currently, the method most widely used for the treatment of pneumothorax, hemothorax, pleural effusion and empyema is closed water-seal drainage. In the postoperative period following thoracotomy and lung resection, water-seal systems have been widely used. However, controversy remains as to whether one or two chest tubes should be used, as well as to whether continuous suction is required.

Since 1960, most surgeons have preferred to use chest tubes with suction ranging from −10 to −20 cmH2O in the initial postoperative period.(12,13) Recent studies have demonstrated that water-seal drainage (without suction) is safe and can promote benefits for patients, since it reduces air leaks, decreasing the duration of drainage and of the hospital stay following lung resection.(14-16)

Between 1962 and 1969, Henry Heimlich described the first studies on the use of a one-way drainage valve in the treatment of pneumothorax, pleural effusion and hemothorax, as well as in the postoperative period following thoracotomy.(3) After this initiative, there has been interest in developing a drainage method that would replace the water-seal system for the treatment of pleural diseases,(8,17) as well as in the postoperative management following thoracotomies.(4,6,7)

However, the method most commonly used as an alternative to replace the water-seal system is still the Heimlich valve.

Other authors have reported that the outpatient treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax using Heimlich valve is safe, efficient and affordable.(18,19) This valve, attached to a plastic collection bag, has been described as an alternative formula for the treatment of thoracic injuries in prehospital environments,(20) in emergencies,(11,8) and for the treatment of hemothorax.(21)

Using this valve in patients diagnosed with prolonged air leak after undergoing lung volume resection resulted in a decrease in the mean length of the hospital stay.(13,22)

However, this device is not totally free of complications. In 1990, Mainini and Johnson reported two cases of hypertensive pneumothorax due to inverted connection of the valve to the chest tube.(23)

Other authors reported that the one-way flutter valve system attached to a plastic collection bag is safe and provides better mobility to patients, as well as potentially being more physiological,(4) especially when used in the postoperative period following lung resection.(6,7,24)

During the analysis period of this study (90 days), death occurred in each of the 3 cases (7.6%) that were excluded from the study due to emergency surgery. Two of those deaths occurred in patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit and presenting bilateral opacities of indefinite etiology, according to imaging methods. In those cases, an open lung biopsy was indicated. In both cases, death occurred in the late postoperative period, after the drainage systems had been removed. The third death occurred in a patient who had been diagnosed with severe COPD and presented spontaneous pneumothorax for 10 days and suffered air leak in the drainage system. That patient had been submitted to bullectomy. In the first 24 h after surgery, intense air leak was identified, as was subcutaneous emphysema and muscle fatigue. Despite being reintubated, the patient died of respiratory insufficiency.

The results of the postoperative chest X-rays were considered normal when there were minimal or no alterations.

Most of the cases of pulmonary collapse seen on chest X-rays performed in the immediate postoperative period were due to incomplete apical lung reexpansion (less than 3 cm). In those cases, no failure of the drainage system was detected. We identified cases of residual pneumothorax in which there was incomplete lung expansion (less than 30%), with the air leak staunched and drainage outflow of less than 200 mL/day. In those cases, we indicated the removal of the chest tube and the introduction of respiratory physiotherapy. In this sample, only one patient presented bronchopleural fistula and empyema in the postoperative period, being submitted to a new surgical procedure in the thoracic cavity.

We identified three complications related to the drainage system. In two cases, the valve was obstructed by blood clots and it was promptly replaced. In another case, the drainage system disconnected from the chest of the patient after the one-way flutter valve became caught on the bed. In that case, the valve was not replaced.

The only failure of the system occurred in a patient with COPD who was submitted to lobectomy due to primary lung cancer. On postoperative day 3, incomplete lung expansion persisted (pneumothorax greater than 30%), and the one-way flutter valve was replaced with a water-seal drainage system using continuous suction.

In this study, the use of a one-way flutter valve in the postoperative period following elective lung resection followed the principle that the duration of pleural drainage is generally shorter in minor resections (lung biopsy and wedge resection) and longer in major resections (segmentectomy and lobectomy). Figure 2 shows that this difference was significant (p < 0.001).



The affordability of one-way flutter valves can facilitate their use. The cost of this valve, ready to use, is US$ 5.00.

Table 3 shows the results of this study and those of other studies using various drainage systems in the postoperative period following elective lung resection.(6,12,25,26) The data in Table 3 suggest that the duration of pleural drainage with the one-way flutter valve was similar to or shorter than that of other studies.



The development and learning of new surgical techniques, as well as the development of medical devices and equipment, reduce surgical trauma and air leak. Therefore, some surgeons have been motivated to modify their approach to the use of chest tubes in the postoperative period. Recent studies have described chest tube removal in the recovery room,(27) as well as surgical procedures in which their use was avoided.(28) In addition, it has been shown that certain types of thoracic surgery can be performed as outpatient procedures.(29)

Thoracic surgeons utilize drainage systems in the postoperative period in various ways and are frequently guided towards a specific approach according to their personal preferences.(16) There are no evidence-based guidelines or consensuses designed to help surgeons determine their approach regarding the postoperative management of drainage systems.(30)

The use of the water-seal drainage system following lung resection is efficacious and has been well established. However, some studies have shown favorable results with the use of one-way flutter valves in the postoperative period following thoracic surgery.

In conclusion, the use of one-way flutter valves in the postoperative period following elective lung resection, in this sample of patients, proved efficient, safe and well tolerated. It also presented a low rate of complications, principally following minor resections.

References


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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Trabalho realizado na Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto - SCMRP - Ribeirão Preto (SP) Brasil e Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Unicamp - Campinas (SP) Brasil.
1. Docente da Disciplina de Pneumologia do Centro Universitário Barão de Mauá, Ribeirão Preto (SP) Brasil.
2. Chefe do Serviço de Cirurgia do Tórax da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto (SP) Brasil.
3. Professor Assistente da Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço do Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Unicamp - Campinas (SP) Brasil.
4. Chefe da Disciplina de Cirurgia Torácica da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Unicamp - Campinas (SP) Brasil.
Endereço para correspondência: Nelson de Araujo Vega. Av. Saudade, 456, Campos Elíseos, CEP 14085-000, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.
Tel 55 16 3605-0707. E-mail: navega11@uol.com.br
Apoio financeiro: Este estudo não recebeu suporte financeiro da indústria fabricante da válvula unidirecional de tórax. Também não há conflito de interesse entre os autores, fabricantes da válvula analisada e fabricantes de drenos pleurais ou outros sistemas de drenagem de tórax.
Recebido para publicação em 23/8/2007. Aprovado, após revisão, em 5/12/2007.