Journal of Medical Sciences1682-44741812-5727Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jms.2007.686.689MandegarMohammad Hussein ShafaMasih GhazinoorMohammad 4200774The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of routine CXR after chest drain removal in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries.In a Prospective, randomized, clinical investigation, a total of 315 consecutive patients were randomly categorized into routinely and clinically indicated CXR groups, prospectively. Demographic information, type of cardiac surgeries and presence of any co morbidities were recorded. In non-routine CXR group, patients underwent radiographic evaluation if clinical signs or symptoms of complicated chest drain removal were detected. CXR findings and therapeutic interventions were also recorded for each patient. Two categories were obtained with 157 and 158 patients as routine and non-routine CXR group, respectively. Age, gender, type of cardiac surgeries and co-morbidities were comparable in both groups. Both groups did not differ significantly with respect to the frequency of signs or symptoms (p = 0.38), CXR findings (p = 1.00) and therapeutic interventions (p = 1.00). The difference between hospital stay duration in both groups and the frequency of readmissions were negligible. We detected no value of routine CXR after chest drain removal in postoperative cardiac patients and omission of this practice could be considered.]]>Amshel, C.E., J.A. Palesty and S.J. Dudrick,199864499502Graham, R.J., M.A. Meziane, T.W. Rice, T. Agasthian, N. Christie, K. Gaebelein and N.A. Obuchowski,19981154552Hornick, P.I., P. Harris, C. Cousins, K.M. Taylor and B.E. Keogh,19955911501153McCormick, J.T., M.S. O'Mara, P.K. Papasavas and P.F. Causha,20027421612164Pacanowski, J.P., M.L. Waack, B.J. Daley, K.S. Hunter, R. Clinton, D.L. Diamond and B.L. Enderson,200048684688Rao, P.S., Q. Abid, K.J. Khan, R.J. Meikle, K.M. Natarajan, G.N. Morritt, J. Wallis and S.W. Kendall,199712724729Silverstein, D.S., D.H. Livingston, J. Elcavage, L. Kovar and K.M. Kelly,199335643646Van den Boom, J. and M. Battin,200792F46F48