Randomized Controlled Trial of Thresholds for Drain Removal After Anatomic Lung Resection

In this trial of 337 patients undergoing open or thoracoscopic lung resection randomized to postoperative chest drain removal based on a standard threshold of 200 mL/24 hours or 5 mL/kg/24 hours, there were no differences in pleural effusion, dyspnea, or time to chest drain removal; however, the weight-adjusted threshold was associated with earlier hospital discharge.