Evaluating chest tube size and daily lavage for traumatic hemothorax treatment

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot study investigates the impact of different chest tube sizes and the effects of daily irrigation on patients with acute traumatic hemothorax. A total of 20 stable trauma patients requiring chest tube drainage will be enrolled and assigned to receive either a 28Fr or 14Fr chest tube. Daily lavage will be performed at 24 and 48 hours post-placement, and outcomes will be compared to historical controls. The study aims to assess the need for additional interventions, complications, and patient-reported outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Able to provide consent for the research study
2. More than 15 years of age
3. Presence of acute traumatic HTX or HTX-PTX diagnosed on chest CT scan within 24 hours of injury and clinical indication for drainage (hemothorax of moderate or large size greater then 300 mL)
4. Hemodynamic stability (heart rate 120 beats per minute; systolic blood pressure 90 mmHg)
5. Bilateral or unilateral hemothorax of greater than 300 mL HTX by Mergo Formula from chest CT
6. Able to complete the entire study including randomization, tube placement, lavages and final CT Scan.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Less than 15 years of Age
2. Prisoner
3. Pregnant due to the risk of CT scans
4. HTX or HTX-PTX not requiring drainage or drainage performed prior to randomization/enrollment
5. Patients undergoing operative intervention (i.e. thoracotomy) as initial management of hemothorax (6) Persistent hemodynamic instability after initial resuscitation and CT imaging

Where it's running

• Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jeremy Cannon, MD — University of Pennsylvania
• Study coordinator: Jeremy W Cannon, MD
• Email: jeremy.cannon@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
• Phone: 215-66-27320

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.