Objective and Subjective Outcomes of an Electronic Chest Drainage System

"Patients in the intervention arm are connected to Thopaz, electronic drainage system immediately after closure of the chest, patients in the control group are connected to a traditional system. Chest tubes in both groups are then connected to suction of -20 cmH2O and maintained at that level until post-operative day #1.~On the morning of post-operative day #1, presence of air leak will be recorded on suction. Then, suction will be decreased to -8 cmH2O (so-called water seal). At that time, management of chest tube drainage and decision for chest tube removal will be dictated by clinical signs, symptoms, and surgeon preference following the standard clinical algorithm for post-operative care of general thoracic patients"