Biofilm on Chest Drains After Thoracic Surgery: Clinical Impact and Antibiotic Resistance

Caner İşevi, MD180 enrolled

Overview

This prospective observational study aims to investigate the frequency and clinical significance of biofilm formation on thoracic chest drains used after thoracic surgery. Biofilms are structured bacterial communities that adhere to surfaces and can promote infection and antibiotic resistance. In this study, small samples from the tips of chest drains will be collected under sterile conditions at the time of drain removal and analyzed in the microbiology laboratory. The main objectives are to evaluate the relationship between the duration of chest drain placement and the presence of biofilm, and to identify the antibiotic resistance profiles of microorganisms isolated from these biofilms. Secondary outcomes include the association between biofilm formation, postoperative infections (such as empyema or wound infection), and the length of hospital stay. This study will be conducted at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Thoracic Surgery, in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology. The findings are expected to contribute to better understanding of optimal drain management and infection prevention strategies after thoracic surgery.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

180

Conditions

Biofilms Thoracic Surgery Postoperative Infection Antibiotic Resistance, Bacterial

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years and older * Undergoing elective thoracic surgery requiring chest drain placement * Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of active infection prior to surgery * Emergency thoracic surgery * Immunosuppressed patients (e.g., neutropenia, advanced malignancy, organ transplantation) * Patients receiving systemic antibiotic therapy at the time of drain removal * Drainage for empyema or pre-existing pleural infection * Presence of extrathoracic infection focus * Refusal or inability to provide informed consent

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Presence and Intensity of Biofilm Formation on Chest Drain Tips

Biofilm formation on the inner surface of chest drain tips will be evaluated using a microplate crystal violet staining method. The optical density (OD) at 492 nm will be measured, and biofilm intensity will be classified according to the Christensen and Chusri scale (non, weak, moderate, strong). The proportion of patients with biofilm-positive drain tips will be recorded and compared across drain duration groups.

Time frame: At the time of chest drain removal (postoperative days 1-7)