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Efficacy of BlakeR Drains for Mediastinal and Pleural Drainage Following Cardiac Operations

Abstract  Background: Mediastinal and pleural drainage following cardiac operations has traditionally been achieved with large bore, semirigid chest tubes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drainage by means of small, soft, and flexible 19 F BlakeR drains. Methods: This is a review of all patients who underwent heart surgery over a 3‐year period at a single institution. Chest tubes and BlakeR drains were removed on postoperative day 1 to 5 depending on patient's condition, amount of drainage, and surgeon's preference. The criteria for drain removal did not vary with type of drain. Results: There was no significant difference in the amount of drainage between both groups. Postoperative mediastinal exploration occurred in 3.47% of patients (12/346) in the chest tube group and in 2.08% of patients (8/385) in the BlakeR group (p = 0.27). Significant pleural effusions requiring a subsequent drainage procedure occurred in 9.54% of patients (33/346) in the chest tube group and in 9.87% of patients (38/385) in the BlakeR group. Conclusions: No significant differences were noted in the number of mediastinal explorations in patients drained with conventional chest tubes as compared to BlakeR drains during cardiac operations. Though not statistically significant, there may actually be an advantage of Blake drains over conventional chest tubes in this regard. There was also no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative pleural effusions. BlakeR drains appear to be at least as effective and safe as conventional chest tubes in draining the mediastinum and pleural spaces following cardiac surgery.