Reevaluating routine chest X-rays after chest tube removal in traumatic pneumothorax

Background: Chest trauma patients often require chest tube insertion to re-expand their lungs. While routine chest X-rays are commonly performed after tube removal to detect complications, their necessity is debated due to concerns about unnecessary radiation, costs, and prolonged hospitalization. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the necessity of routine chest radiographs following chest tube removal in patients with traumatic pneumothorax by examining the incidence of abnormal post-removal findings and their clinical relevance. Materials and Methods: The medical records of traumatic patients at Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Srinakharinwirot University, from June 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. We enrolled patients who underwent chest tube insertion. Exclusion criteria included transfer to another hospital, death during admission, persistent mechanical ventilation at the time of tube removal, or Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score