The use of flexible silastic drains after chest surgery: novel thoracic drainage.

PURPOSE: We report a new strategy for drainage with silicon thoracic tube (Blake drain) after chest surgery. DESCRIPTION: To confirm the effect of Blake drain, we have performed a three-part study including in vitro and clinical investigations compared with those of conventional chest tubes. We carried out an in vitro analysis to achieve the best possible drainage; in the second part, we used this drain in a cohort of 30 patients to establish safety and efficacy; and in a third substudy, we carried out a nonrandomized comparison with an earlier cohort between the Blake drain group and standard, rigid drain group. EVALUATION: In vitro tests demonstrate that the drainage capability of the Blake drain depends on sufficient length in the fluted part of the structure. Clinical outcome demonstrates no significant differences. The Silastic drain (Ethicon, Inc, Somerville, NJ) group had a significantly shorter period of tube drainage compared with the conventional drain group. CONCLUSIONS: From this small study the Blake drains seem to be safe and effective. Therefore, a prospective, randomized comparison should be carried out.