Randomised trial comparing the use of suction with underwater seal versus only an underwater seal applied to chest drains following lung resection

INTERVENTION: Chest drains connected to an underwater seal are routinely left in the chest cavity (pleural space) following lung resections. They provide a one way escape route for any air that might leak from the surface of the lung and for any fluid that might collect in the chest cavity. This helps to maintain a negative pressure in the pleural cavity and facilitates lung expansion. We propose to compare the duration of air leak following lung resection between two groups of prospectively randomised patients one of which will have suction applied to the underwater seal. We will record the time to the last air leak and then determine any statistically significant difference (if any) between the two groups. Randomisation will be into two groups: 1. chest drain connected to water seal only 2. chest drain connected to water seal and wall suction applied to the water seal at 3 kPa. Suction started in the recovery room immediately after the operation. CONDITION: Surgery: Lobectomy ; Surgery ; Lobectomy PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Time to last bubble (air leak time); 2. Time to removal of drain; 3. Time to discharge home SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: Cases eligible to be included in the trial: all lobectomies, all wedges, all lung biopsies, all operations of pneumothorax.