Randomised trial comparing the use of suction with underwater seal versus only an underwater seal applied to chest drains following lung resection

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN20243318

Enrollment

300

Registered

2006-09-29

Start date

2002-06-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Surgery: Lobectomy Surgery Lobectomy

Interventions

Chest drains connected to an underwater seal are routinely left in the chest cavity (pleural space) following lung resections. They provide a one way escape route for any air that might leak from the

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Cases eligible to be included in the trial: all lobectomies, all wedges, all lung biopsies, all operations of pneumothorax.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Lung volume reduction surgery and pneumonectomies.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Time to last bubble (air leak time) 2. Time to removal of drain 3. Time to discharge home	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Not provided at time of registration	—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026