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Evaluation of Thoracic Ultrasound in Monitoring Pleural Drainage in Postoperative Thoracic Surgery

Evaluation of Thoracic Ultrasound in Monitoring Pleural Drainage in Postoperative Thoracic Surgery

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05545566
Acronym
EchTHor
Enrollment
60
Registered
2022-09-19
Start date
2022-09-05
Completion date
2023-02-28
Last updated
2023-03-16

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

Conditions

Pleural Drain Removal, Thoracic Ultrasound

Keywords

postoperative thoracic surgery, discharge decision, thoracic ultrasound, pleural drain removal, chest X-ray, thoracic surgery monitoring

Brief summary

The investigator would like to conduct a study in patients undergoing thoracic surgery to evaluate the effectiveness of thoracic ultrasound in the decision to discharge the patient after pleural drain removal.

Detailed description

Thoracic drainage is a common and almost systematic practice after thoracic surgery requiring daily management and monitoring until and after its removal. It allows, after opening the pleura, the evacuation of liquid and/or air retained in the pleural cavity. The overall monitoring of the patient after thoracic surgery is based on clinical vigilance combined with thoracic imaging, in particular the chest X-ray which remains the Gold Standard (reference examination). The removal of the drain is decided according to the quantity and appearance of the evacuated fluid, the persistence of air leaks, etc… A few hours after the removal of the drain, it is routine to perform a chest X-ray before authorizing a possible discharge from the department. This practice does not correspond to an established scientific protocol but is systematically performed in our department before discharge. Several studies have defended the place of ultrasound in thoracic imaging and its contribution to the detection of postoperative and intensive care complications. Unlike radiography, this technique is non-irradiating, less expensive and more readily available. It allows the detection of pneumothorax, pleural effusions and other complications detectable on X-ray. To our knowledge, the contribution of thoracic ultrasound has not been studied in the decision to authorize the discharge of the patient after removal of the thoracic drain.

Interventions

PROCEDUREThoracic ultrasound versus chest X-ray

Perform un ultrasound test, in addition to Chest X-Ray (usual practice), few hours after the surgery (D0), the next day (D1) and 4 to 6 hours after drain removal. The data are collected in the standardized protocol for the two type of imaging. The thoracic ultrasound and the Chest X-Ray are performed, blindly each other, in the same position for the patient and the same suction level of drain.

Sponsors

University Hospital, Limoges
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Patients undergoing thoracic surgery (lung resection, pleural symphysis, biopsy or resection of a mediastinal tumor or ganglion, pleural decortication/decalcification) admitted immediately after surgery in the thoracic surgery department (standard care or continuous care) of the University Hospital of Limoges.

Exclusion criteria

* Admission to the intensive care unit after thoracic surgery. * Pneumonectomy * Chest wall surgery * Patients \<18 years old * Not affiliated to social security * Under guardianship or curatorship * Pregnant women * Not knowing the French language

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Theoretical patient dischargeAt the study completion, an average of 10 daysTheoretical patient discharge based on imaging data (pleural ultrasound or chest x-ray): * YES: Score ≤ 2 on each of the 4 items assessed AND total score ≤ 4. * NO: Score ≥ 3 on each of the items assessed and/or total score ≥ 5.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain du to examinationDay 0, Day 1 and At the study completion, an average of 10 daysTo compare the pain generated by each examination (thoracic radiography and pleural ultrasound) with Visual Analogic Scale (0 to 10) at Day 0, Day 1 and post-drainage)
Subcutaneous emphysemaDay 0, Day 1 and At the study completion, an average of 10 daysEvaluation of the concordance of pleural ultrasound data and chest radiography on the presence of subcutaneous emphysema at D0, D1 and post drain removal.
PneumothoraxDay 0, Day 1 and At the study completion, an average of 10 daysEvaluation of the concordance of pleural ultrasound data and chest radiography on the presence of Pneumothorax at D0, D1 and post drain removal.
Pleural effusionDay 0, Day 1 and At the study completion, an average of 10 daysEvaluation of the concordance of pleural ultrasound data and chest radiography on the presence of Pleural effusion at D0, D1 and post drain removal.
Pulmonary CondensationDay 0, Day 1 and At the study completion, an average of 10 daysEvaluation of the concordance of pleural ultrasound data and chest radiography on the presence of Pulmonary Condensation at D0, D1 and post drain removal.

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026