ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of closed thoracic drainage with single tube or double tubes after video-assisted thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery.MethodsRetrospective analysis was performed on 50 patients (39 males, 11 females) who underwent three-port thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery in our hospital from January 2013 to March 2019. Twenty-five patients with single indwelling tube after surgery were divided into the observation group and 25 patients with double indwelling tubes were divided into the control group.ResultsThere was no significant difference in pulmonary retension on day 3 after surgery, postoperative complications, the patency rate of drainage tube before extubation, retention time or postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). Postoperative pain and total amount of nonsteroidal analgesics use in the observation group was less than those in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionIt is safe and effective to perform closed thoracic drainage with single indwelling tube after video-assisted thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery, which can significantly reduce the incidence of related adverse drug reactions and facilitate rapid postoperative rehabilitation with a reduction of postoperative pain and the use of analgesic drugs.