Routine placement of an intercostal chest drain during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lung biopsy unnecessarily prolongs in-hospital length of stay in selected patients.

Objective: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) lung biopsy is frequently used in the diagnosis of parenchymal lung disease. However, there is still debate over the need for routine use of an intercostal chest drain after this procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the necessity of positioning an intercostal chest drain as an integral part of VATS lung biopsy.

Is an intercostal chest drain necessary after video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lung biopsy?

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lung biopsy is a frequently performed procedure as an integral part of the diagnostic armamentarium for parenchymal lung disease. However, there is no evidence in the literature concerning the need for an intercostal chest drain after the procedure.

Methods: A prospective randomized control trial was set up to assess the need for intercostal chest drainage after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lung biopsy.