Analogue versus Digital Intervention in Chest Trauma (ADICT): A prospective randomized control trial on the efficacy of digital thoracostomy drain versus the analogue counterpart following major thoracic trauma

When someone sustains a serious chest injury, they often need a drain inserted between the ribs to remove fluid or air from around the lungs — a procedure called intercostal catheter placement. Traditionally, these drains use analogue (non-digital) water-seal devices to monitor drainage. Newer digital systems can more precisely measure and display what is draining, which may allow doctors to remove the drain sooner and reduce the time patients spend in hospital. This randomised trial compares digital drain systems to standard analogue systems in patients admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with major chest trauma. The main goal is to find out whether the digital system reduces how long patients need the drain in place, and whether this translates into shorter hospital stays. You may be eligible if you are 16 or older and have sustained a traumatic chest injury that requires a drain to be inserted. People who had a drain inserted before reaching hospital, those with extremely large volumes of blood in the chest (massive haemothorax), or those who required emergency chest surgery in the department are not eligible.