Abstract
BackgroundThoracic surgical patients have chest drains inserted to enable re-expansion of lungs, to clear contents from the pleural cavity which sometimes require negative suction. Suction impedes mobility, may have variable suction delivery and increases risk of infection. Assessment of air-leak in conventional drains is not scientific and is subjective. Thopaz chest drain system is a portable suction unit which allows mobilization of the patient, with scientific digital flow recordings and an in built alarm system.MethodsWe evaluated the utility, staff and patient feedback of this device in a pilot evaluation in a regional thoracic unit in a structured format over a period of two months. Staff responses were graded on a scale of 1 to 6 [1 Excellent to 6 Poor].Results120 patients who underwent elective bullectomy/pleurectomy, VATS lung biopsies, VATS metastectomy and lung resections were evaluated. The staff feedback forms were positive. The staff liked the system as it was more scientific and accurately recordable. It made nursing and physiotherapy easier as they could mobilise patients early. The patients liked the compact design, weightlessness and the silence. It enabled mobilisation of the patients and scientific removal of chest drain.ConclusionsThopaz digital suction units were found to be user friendly and were liked by the staff and patients. The staff feedback stated the devices to be objective and scientific in making decisions about removal and enabled mobilisation.
Highlights
Thoracic surgical patients have chest drains placed in the pleura to drain air and blood [1]
Closed chest drain systems have evolved from the time they were introduced in thoracic surgical practice
The three bottle underwater seal chest drainage has progressed to single chamber devices with the liquid column acting as the one way valve to enable fluid and air to escape from the thoracic cavity
Summary
Thoracic surgical patients have chest drains placed in the pleura to drain air and blood [1]. There are various devices which are connected to the chest drains with some of the recent ones having digital flow meters incorporated in them [2] In some circumstances these drains are placed on negative pressure suction to evacuate the contents of the pleural cavity as well as to help re-expand the lungs [3]. This has been achieved by connecting the chest drain bottles to low pressure wall suction. There are currently systems which generate the flows by digital meters incorporated in the drainage portals [4] This still doesn’t solve the problem of mobilisation of the patient as if the patient needs suction they have to be connected to the wall. Thopaz chest drain system is a portable suction unit which allows mobilization of the patient, with scientific digital flow recordings and an in built alarm system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
