Table 1:
Characteristic features of the patients
| Case | Sex | Age | Indication | Localization | Drainage time (days) | Comorbidity | The need for MV | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | 67 | Iat pnx | Right | 7 | DM, HT | Yes | Alive |
| 2 | M | 68 | Pnx | Right | 2 | Neurological | Yes | Died |
| 3 | M | 54 | Pnx | Right | 5 | None | No | Alive |
| 4 | M | 64 | Pnx | Right | 7 | Larynx ca | Yes | Died |
| 5 | M | 64 | Spn pnx | Left | 6 | Bronchial ca | No | Alive |
| 6 | M | 45 | Pnx + Emp | Bilateral | 20 | None | Yes | Died |
| 7 | F | 45 | Empyema | Left | 13 | CRF | No | Alive |
| 8 | M | 31 | Empyema | Right | 24 | Neurological | Yes | Alive |
| 9 | F | 45 | Empyema | Right | 10 | DM | Yes | Alive |
| 10 | M | 94 | PE | Left | 4 | CRF, CHF | Yes | Died |
| 11 | M | 69 | MPE | Right | 7 | Bronchial ca | Yes | Died |
| 12 | F | 51 | MPE | Left | 4 | Cervical ca | No | Alive |
| 13 | M | 48 | Haemothorax | Right | 10 | None | Yes | Died |
ca: cancer; CHF: congestive heart failure; CRF: chronic renal failure; DM: diabetes mellitus; Emp: empyema; HT: hypertension; Iat: iatrogenic; MPE: malignant pleural effusion; MV: mechanical ventilation; PE: pleural effusion; pnx: pneumothorax; Spn: spontaneous.