Abstract:ObjectiveTo explore the application of pediatric thoracic drainage tube (18F) in patients with closed thoracic drainage after thoracoscopic lobectomy.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 210 patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy from August 2016 to June 2018.According to the different diameters of postoperative thoracic drainage tube,the patients were divided into 18F group(18F thoracic drainage tube for children was used,n=114) and 28F group (routine 28F thoracic drainage tube was placed,n=96).The postoperative drainage volume and time,visual analogue scale (VAS) score,surrounding skin of drainage tube at 7 d after surgery,hospitalization and postoperative complications were compared between two groups.ResultsThe drainage volume at 24-,48-,72-h after surgery and the total drainage time in 18F group were significantly lower than those in 28F group (P<0.01).At the 3rd and 5th day after surgery,VAS scores in 18F group were significantly lower than those in 28F group (P<0.01).At 7th day after surgery,the proportion of normal surrounding skin around drainage tube in 18F group was significantly higher than that in 28F group,and the incidences of red and swollen,eczema/dermatitis and ulcerate were significantly lower than those in 28F group (P<0.01).The time of getting out of bed in the early postoperative stage,proportion of patients using analgesics,postoperative hospital stay and the time of suture removal in 18F group were significantly lower than those in 28F group(P<0.01).There were no significant differences in the complications of postoperative pleural effusion,chest cavity pneumatosis,chylothorax,air leak and pulmonary infection between two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe thoracic drainage tube for pediatrics can be used in the patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy,which can effectively reduce the pain of patients and facilitate rapid recovery after operation.