Abstract:Objective To investigate the feasibility of Multi-channel silicone drains in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Methods Totally 160 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery from January 2016 to September 2017 were involved in this study. Two types of drainage tube were utilized (n = 80): Multi-channel silicone drainage plus silica gel negative-pressure suction, and traditional chest tube plus water seal system. First 24-hour drainage volume post-surgery, total volume of drainage, duration of time of tube, number of thoracentesis after surgery, postoperative hospital stay, levels of pain on postoperative day 1 and 2 (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS), and efficiency of drainage when bleeding were recorded. Results No distinct difference in total volume of drainage was identified between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Patients in negative pressure group experienced significant decrease of duration of tube, number of thoracentesis after surgery, postoperative hospital stay, and levels of pain on postoperative day 1 and 2 and increase of first 24-hour drainage when compared with those in control group (P < 0.05). Two cases in both negative pressure group and control group underwent unexpected surgery due to internal bleeding. Conclusions Multi-channel silicone drainage exerts clinical advantages with certain indications.