Comparison of Chest Tube Wound Closure: Comparison Between Purse String Method and Plug Method.

NCT07319572 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: F-5-2/2024(ERCC)/PIMS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 246
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective, comparative clinical study evaluates two techniques of chest tube wound closure-purse-string suture and the simple suture/plug method-to determine differences in cosmetic outcomes, wound complications, and overall patient satisfaction following chest tube removal. The study aims to identify the closure technique that provides optimal wound healing with fewer postoperative complications.

Conditions

Chest Tube Removal; Purse String; Plug Method; Pneumothorax; Hemothorax; Chest Tube

Keywords

Purse-string; Plug method; Chest tube; Pneumothorax; hemothorax

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• "Incidence of air leak after chest tube removal using purse-string suture or plug method"

  It is the incidence of air leak/pneumothorax after the chest tube has been removed and the wound is closed by one of the two methods of chest tube wound closure; 1) the purse string method of chest tube wound closure and 2) the plug method of chest tube wound closure.

  48 hours

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Incidence of wound infection after chest tube site closure using purse-string suture or plug method

  7 Days

• Scar appearance score at chest tube site measured using the Vancouver Scar Scale

  1 month

• Patient-reported cosmetic satisfaction score after chest tube site closure measured using a Numerical Rating Scale

  1 month

Study Arms (2)

Purse string group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients in this arm will have the chest tube removal site closed using a purse-string suture technique. After chest tube removal and haemostasis, a single circumferential (purse-string) stitch is placed around the wound margin and tightened to approximate the skin edges. Skin is left approximated; additional superficial interrupted skin sutures may be applied at the investigator's discretion. Suture material: monofilament nylon or silk, per local practice. Standard sterile dressing applied. Post-procedure wound care and follow-up are identical to the comparator arm.

Procedure: Purse string suture closure

Plug Method group

EXPERIMENTAL

After chest tube removal, the wound is swiftly plugged off with an impregnable gauze and no sutures applied. The gauze is then fixed with air tight dressing

Procedure: Plug method closure

Interventions

Plug method closure PROCEDURE

An impregnable gauze which is made airtight by coating it in petroleum jelly is swiftly placed over the chest wound site as the chest tube is removed and an air tight dressing done.

Plug Method group

Purse string suture closure PROCEDURE

PURSE STRING METHOD OF CLOSURE: A circumferential suture is placed around the chest tube insertion site before or after tube removal. The suture is tightened like a drawstring to approximate the skin edges and close the wound. This method provides an air-tight seal but often results in a puckered, circular scar. PLUG METHOD OF CLOSURE: After chest tube removal, the tract is allowed to collapse naturally and is gently plugged with a small gauze piece impregnated with petroleum jelly.

Purse string group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• All patients \>18 years of age
• Patients undergoing chest tube insertion for traumatic causes including Pneumothorax, hemothorax and hemopneumothorax.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous ipsilateral thoracic surgery
• Patients with large wounds necessitating suture closure
• Patients with bleeding disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pakistan Institute of medical sciences

Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pneumothorax; Hemothorax

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pleural Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Hemorrhage; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Muhammad Fahad Ali Ali, MBBS

CONTACT

+923320601136; joyafahad@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator (General Surgery Resident)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 7, 2025
• First Posted: January 6, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: January 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

PA (1)