CONCLUSION
A routine chest X-ray following chest drain removal in adult and
paediatric patients undergoing cardiac and thoracic surgery is not
necessary. It can be omitted without compromising patient safety.
Obtaining chest X-rays should be guided by the development of
respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. An alternative to the chest
X-ray is to perform a bedside ultrasound, which is rapid, safe,
cost-effective and accurately identifies pneumothorax without ionising
radiation. Further research is required to identify the asymptomatic
patients with a clinically significant pneumothorax, who may need
subsequent intervention.