"Z" chest drainage and modified incision and closure techniques for single-incision VATS

Objective To research the application of Z chest drainage and modified incision and closure techniques for single-incision VATS. Methods 422 patients by uniportal VATS were divided into three groups: 282 in experimental group( Z Chest drainage with 16 F stomach tube), male 156, female 126, median age is 55 years old; 100 in control group 1(traditional chest drainage with 16 F stomach tube) , male 58, female 42, median age is 53 years old; 40 in control group 2(traditional chest drainage with 34 F chest tube), male 24, female 16, median age is 52 years old. To compare the incidence rate of incision exudating、poor healing of incision and debridement between the 3 groups. Results The age, sex and surgical method of the three groups has no statistical significance. Incidence rate of incision exudating of experimental group, control group 1 and control group 2: 5(1.8%, 5/282), 5(5.0%, 5/100) and 6(15.0%, 6/40); Poor healing of incision of the three groups: 0, 1(1.0%, 1/100) and 3(7.5%, 3/40); debridement of the three groups: 0, 0 and 3(7.5%, 3/40). For the healing of incision, control group 1 was better than control group 2; and experimental group was better than control group 1. Conclusion Z chest drainage and modified incision and closure techniques decreased the incidence rate of incision exudate、poor healing of incision and debridement, it could be useful to obtain a better cosmetic effect after single-incision VATS.