Complications after Chest Tube Removal and Reinterventions in Patients with Digital Drainage Systems.

Air leak-related complications and reinterventions after drainage tube removals happened in 35.2% and 5.0% of patients with digital thoracic drainage systems. The management of chest drainage tubes in patients with predictive factors, i.e., the presence of initial air leaks and duration of chest drainage of more than five days, should be treated with caution.