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Comparison of Chest Tube Wound Closure: Comparison Between Purse String Method and Plug Method.

ConditionsPneumothoraxHemothoraxChest TubeChest Tube RemovalPurse StringPlug Method
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorPakistan Institute of Medical Sciences

About this trial

This prospective, comparative clinical study evaluates two techniques of chest tube wound closure-purse-string suture and the simple suture/plug method-to determine differences in cosmetic outcomes, wound complications, and overall patient satisfaction following chest tube removal. The study aims to identify the closure technique that provides optimal wound healing with fewer postoperative complications.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

All patients >18 years of age

Patients undergoing chest tube insertion for traumatic causes including Pneumothorax, hemothorax and hemopneumothorax.

Disqualifiers

Previous ipsilateral thoracic surgery

Patients with large wounds necessitating suture closure

Patients with bleeding disorders

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Purse string suture closure

    Procedure/Surgery

    PURSE STRING METHOD OF CLOSURE: A circumferential suture is placed around the chest tube insertion site before or after tube removal. The suture is tightened like a drawstring to approximate the skin edges and close the wound. This method provides an air-tight seal but often results in a puckered, circular scar. PLUG METHOD OF CLOSURE: After chest tube removal, the tract is allowed to collapse naturally and is gently plugged with a small gauze piece impregnated with petroleum jelly.

  • Plug method closure

    Procedure/Surgery

    An impregnable gauze which is made airtight by coating it in petroleum jelly is swiftly placed over the chest wound site as the chest tube is removed and an air tight dressing done.

Treatment groups

246 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Purse string groupActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Plug Method groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

"Incidence of air leak after chest tube removal using purse-string suture or plug method"

It is the incidence of air leak/pneumothorax after the chest tube has been removed and the wound is closed by one of the two methods of chest tube wound closure; 1) the purse string method of chest tube wound closure and 2) the plug method of chest tube wound closure.

Time frame
48 hours

Secondary outcomes

1

Incidence of wound infection after chest tube site closure using purse-string suture or plug method

Development of surgical site infection at the chest tube removal site after closure by purse-string suture or plug method, defined according to standard surgical site infection criteria

Time frame
7 Days
2

Scar appearance score at chest tube site measured using the Vancouver Scar Scale

Scar quality at the chest tube removal site assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale, which evaluates pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and height

Time frame
1 month
3

Patient-reported cosmetic satisfaction score after chest tube site closure measured using a Numerical Rating Scale

Patient-reported cosmetic satisfaction with the chest tube removal site assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale, where: 0 = not satisfied at all 10 = completely satisfied Higher scores indicate better cosmetic satisfaction.

Time frame
1 month

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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