The Method of Drainage Tube Pulling under Negative Pressure in Patients with Open Heart Surgery

Purpose: Postoperative complications is to impress negatively patient mortality. One of this complications relate to respiratory system. In our study, we aimed to present our clinical experience related to negative pressure practise while pulling thorax drainage tube. Methods: 448 patients (337 male, 111 female) taken to open heart surgery december 2007 and november 2011 in our clinic. The mean age was 57,33±3,6 in patients. Drainage tubes were pulled on postoperative 1 day except much drainage and pneumothorax. Negative pressure was applied thorax drainage tubes between 70 and 100 mm Hg while pulling thorax drainage tubes. Results: Total 1008 number drainage tubes were placed. Thorasyntesis was applied because of liquid collection in left hemithorax in 3 patients. Pneumothorax was seen in 1 patient. Conclusion: We consider the rate of pneumothorax and pulmonary infection due to liquid collection in postoperative period may be reduced with modification while pulling drainage tube after heart surgery. [Cukurova Med J 2012; 37(3.000): 146-149]