| NCT ID | NCT07338019 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Health Sciences Lahore |
| Condition | Chest Tube Management |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 300 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-07-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-06-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 300 participants in total. It began in 2025-07-01 with a primary completion date of 2027-06-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Chest tube thoracostomy remains a lifesaving intervention in trauma and thoracic surgery, used for the management of pneumothorax, hemothorax, empyema, and pleural effusions. Despite being one of the most frequently performed procedures worldwide, complication rates remain high, ranging from 20% to 40% \[1\]. Among these, pulmonary parenchymal chest tube (PPcT) insertion represents a rare but potentially devastating event, leading to hemorrhage, air leak, bronchopleural fistula, or infection. In Pakistan, where chest trauma and pneumothorax constitute major thoracic morbidities, PPcT cases are encountered with increasing frequency but remain underreported. Current literature describes only invasive surgical approaches-such as thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)-for PPcT removal \[9,10\], with no established minimally invasive alternatives. In response to this clinical challenge, the Department of Thoracic Surgery at (Hospital Name), Punjab, Pakistan, has developed and implemented a novel, minimally invasive three-stage removal technique, termed the Buzdar Technique, designed to ensure safe extraction of intraparenchymal chest tubes without surgical intervention. The technique follows a standardized protocol involving: Healing phase: Tube left in situ for approximately two weeks to allow localized fibrosis and stabilization of the lung parenchyma. Initial retraction: Gradual 2-cm withdrawal with optional 360° rotation under radiologic and clinical supervision, followed by 24-hour observation and chest imaging. Sequential retractions: Weekly staged retractions of 2 cm until the last fenestration exits the pleural cavity, enabling safe final removal. This prospective cohort study, conducted from July 2025 to June 2026, aims to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and clinical outcomes of the Buzdar Technique in managing iatrogenic PPcT. Data will include patient demographics, procedural details, complications, radiologic recovery, and overall outcomes. Success will be defined as complete tube removal without pneumothorax, air leak, bleeding, or need for surgical intervention. Preliminary institutional experience over the past decade has shown excellent results, with minimal morbidity, no requirement for thoracotomy or VATS, and full radiologic recovery in the majority of patients. The expected outcomes of this prospective evaluation are to validate these findings, establish the Buzdar Technique as a reproducible, evidence-based approach, and contribute to the global literature on non-surgical management of PPcT. If proven effective, this technique could represent a paradigm shift in the management of intraparenchymal chest tubes-offering a safe, staged, and minimally invasive alternative to surgical removal, particularly beneficial for centers in low- and middle-income countries where advanced surgical options may not always be available.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients ≥18 years with confirmed intraparenchymal chest tube placement on chest CT or X-ray. * Hemodynamically stable patients suitable for conservative staged removal. * Patients providing informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients requiring immediate thoracotomy due to massive bleeding or large bronchopleural fistula. * Patients with uncorrectable coagulopathy or unstable cardiopulmonary status. * Patients refusing participation or lost to follow-up.
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07338019 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Chest Tube Management. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07338019 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07338019 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at zeeshan.sarwar195@gmail.com for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07338019 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Lahore, Pakistan.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07338019 clinical trial?
NCT07338019 is sponsored by University of Health Sciences Lahore. The trial plans to enroll 300 participants.