Chest Drain Regular Flushing in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyemas

Launched by VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · May 22, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the benefits of regularly flushing chest drains with saline solution for patients who have infections in the pleural space, known as empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusions. The researchers want to see if this flushing can help keep the drainage tubes open longer, which may lead to a quicker removal of the chest tube, shorter hospital stays, better chest imaging results, and fewer additional treatments needed for the infection.

To participate, individuals must be over 18 years old and have a complicated pleural infection that requires a chest tube as part of their standard treatment. However, those with certain conditions, who cannot provide consent, or who are expected to need the chest tube for less than 24 hours will not be eligible. Participants can expect to receive standard care along with the regular flushing of their chest drains and will be monitored to see how this affects their recovery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema requiring chest tube placement as standard of care for inpatient management of their pleural space infection with or without intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator and deoxyribonuclease therapy
• • Age \> 18 years old.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who have surgical tubes that can't accommodate a three-way stopcock.
• • Study subject has any disease or condition that interferes with the safe completion of the study.
• • Inability to provide informed consent.
• • Inability to undergo a chest X-ray.
• • If the managing clinician believes the chest tube will be placed for less than 24 hours.
• • Patients with an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC)