Routine application of Jackson Pratt chest drenage after diaphragmatic surgery for advanced ovarian cancer: a single centre experience

Objectives: Previous studies reported an high rates of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing extensive cytoreductive surgery, including diafragmatic resection, for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: This study measured the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in a cohort of 21 patients undergoing routine application of Jackson Pratt (JP) drainage as chest tube after diafragmatic resection. Results: The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications like pleural effusion, pneumothorax and subdiaphragmatic abscess in our group of patients were respectively 33%, 0% and 5%. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a low rate of postoperative pulmonary complications with the routinely application of JP as chest tube with no additional discomfort for patients. Randomized controlled trials are required to test the role of routinely use of chest tube in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery.