Transthoracic drainage plus antibiotics vs antibiotics alone for lung abscesses
Official title: TOLA: Transthoracic Drainage of Lung Abscesses. A National Randomized Trial
Run by University of Aarhus · NCT07247461 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether adding a chest-drain procedure to standard antibiotics helps adults with lung abscesses heal faster.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 84 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Aarhus Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Aarhus) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 16, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2029 |
| Study ends | August 30, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | June 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07247461 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18 years or older with a lung abscess at least 4 cm in diameter that involves the outer third of the lung and contains fluid, suitable for drainage.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with contraindications to invasive drainage, high bleeding risk, or those not meeting the abscess size or location criteria may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a multicenter, national randomized trial comparing early transthoracic drainage plus intravenous antibiotics to intravenous antibiotics alone for lung abscesses in adults. Participants are randomly assigned to either receive a chest tube drain inserted into the abscess with daily saline flushes and standard antibiotics, or to receive standard antibiotics only. The study is open-label and takes place in respiratory departments across Danish university hospitals, with enrollment expected to run for about two years starting in early 2026. Primary outcome includes length of hospital stay, with additional safety and health-related quality-of-life assessments during follow-up.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the drainage approach could shorten hospital stays and improve recovery for patients with sizable lung abscesses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous smaller studies have explored drainage for lung abscesses, but comprehensive national randomized data are limited and this trial aims to provide clearer evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>18 years. * Signed informed consent. * CT scan compatible with LA (one or more cavitating lesions with liquid content). * Clinical findings suggestive of ongoing infection. * Lung abscess size ≥ 4 cm in diameter. * Imaging indicates that the abscess contains fluid. * The abscess involves the outer one-third of the lung. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy. Prior to inclusion of fertile women, a negative pregnancy test must be available. * Brest feeding. * Predicted survival of less than 3 months. * Known tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis. * Known chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. * Patients with a primary suspicion of lung cancer * Recent (\<3 months) contact with health facilities outside Scandinavia. * Patients in whom anticoagulant treatment cannot be discontinued, or in whom the treatment pause does not allow drainage within 72 hours. * Coagulopathy or other increased bleeding risk that cannot be corrected to allow drainage within 72 hours. * Hemodynamic and/or respiratory unstable patient.
Where it's running
-
Aarhus Universitets Hospital
Aarhus, Denmark Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Katrine Kristensen, MD
- Email: Karkrs@rm.dk
- Phone: +45 28265001
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.