Duration of use of postoperative thoracostomy tubes in canines and felines without preoperative pneumothorax or pleural effusion

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the median time to return of negative thoracic pressure via thoracostomy tube following thoracic surgery in canines and felines without preoperative pneumothorax or pleural effusion and discuss complications associated with their use. Methods: This was a retrospective case series with client-owned canines (n = 31) and felines (7). Medical records of canines and felines presented to a referral hospital for surgery during which a thoracostomy tube(s) was placed were reviewed. Animals with preoperative pneumothorax or pleural effusion were excluded. Total volumes of air and fluid were recorded in addition to respiratory rate, effort, and postoperative complications. Results: 31 canines and 7 felines met inclusion criteria. Included procedures were diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy (44.7%), pericardioperitoneal herniorrhaphy (5.0%), lung lobectomy for mass excision or torsion (31.5%), vascular anomaly correction (15.8%), and other thoracic procedures (5.2%). Overall postoperative thoracostomy tube complication rate was 5.2%. Two patients died prior to discharge from complications unrelated to the thoracostomy tube. The median time to reestablish negative pressure was 0.5 hours (95% CI, 0 to 2 hours), and the median duration a thoracostomy tube was maintained was 8 hours (95% CI, 6 to 9.75 hours). Conclusions: The duration for which thoracostomy tubes were maintained exceeded that needed for reestablishment and maintenance of negative thoracic pressure. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should consider limiting thoracostomy tube use to the immediate 2-hour postoperative period, as the majority of cases did not exceed 10 mL/kg of air and fluid production across the duration of thoracostomy tube use. Overall complication rate was low (5%).