The effect of pleural drainage on pulse oximetry in a post-operative thoracic surgery population.

Pleural effusions in post-operative thoracic surgery patients are common. Effusions can result in prolonged hospitalizations or readmissions, with prior studies suggesting mixed effects of pleural drainage on hypoxia. We aimed to define the impact of pleural drainage on pulse oximetry (SpO2) in post-thoracic surgery patients.