RecruitingNot Applicable

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

Turkey (Türkiye)180 participantsStarted 2025-10-01

Plain-language summary

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.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

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

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Presence and Intensity of Biofilm Formation on Chest Drain Tips

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

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07228598

SponsorCaner İşevi, MD

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Biofilms trials