ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship between visceral pleura closure of primary spontaneous pneumotho?rax (PSP) using different diameters of drainage tube and the time of implementing closed chest-drain. Methods According to the diameters of tubes for chest drain they used, 214 patients with PSP were divided into standard tube group (136 cases) and fine catheter group (78 cases). Patients in standard tube group who were inserted chest drain for≤1 d,≤3 d,≤6 d,>6 d included 48, 43, 29 and 16 cases respectively while their counterpart in fine catheter group include 24, 23, 17, 14 cases re?spectively. Closed time of crevasse were noted and incidence of preoperative closed pneumothorax converting into open pneu?mothorax, subcutaneous emphysema and prolonged pain after operation were all recorded. Results There is no statistical difference in closing time of crevasse nor in the distribution of various drainage times (proportions of≤6 d and>6 d are low?er than proportions of≤1 d and≤3 d) between standard tube group [(4.76 ±1.65) d] and fine catheter group [(4.54±1.67) d] (t=0.963). However, in both standard tube group and fine catheter group, closing time of crevasse is shorter if drainage time≤6 d or>6 d than if it≤1 d and≤3 d. Closing time of crevasse show negative correlation with period of chest drain in?sertion in both standard tube group and fine catheter group (P<0.05). The rate of converting from close pneumothorax into open pneumothorax were 51.96%(53/102) and 36.21%(21/58) respectively in standard pipe group and fine catheter group. Furthermore, the incidence of subcutaneous emphysema and prolonged pain were all higher than those in standard tube group than those in the fine catheter group (P<0.05). Conclusion Using closed chest drain to treat patients with PSP, di?ameter of the drain tube did not affect closing time of crevasse. But longer insertion period of chest drain can reduce closing time of crevasse.