Do drains help reduce the risk of complications after thoracoplasties in posterior spinal fusions for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

The presence of a pleural effusion in patients with AIS undergoing PSF with thoracoplasty was associated with longer oxygen requirements and length of hospital ICU admission. Thirty six percent of patients with thoracoplasties developed pleural effusions, but deep subfascial drains did not significantly decrease the incidence of pleural effusions.