Selective Use of Chest Tubes in Congential Extracardiac Surgeries

Eight two patients operated for congenital cardio vascular disease are presented. All were selected to be managed without chest tube drainage after thoracotomy. However. in 1.4( 17.07%) patients chest tube drainage was necessitated at operation and of the 68(82.93%) patients. 4(5.88%) underwent an uneventful post operative chest tube insertion. Except on two occasions all the patients had uneventful post operative period. To reduce complications post operative hospital stay and unnecessary forgin body in chest we have employed a seleclive use of chest lubes for some common congenital cardiovascular disorders.