ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of metal supported multi-sided versus ordinary ultra-fine drainage tube in the uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lower pulmonary lobectomy. MethodsFrom January 2021 to June 2022, the clinical data of patients who underwent uniportal VATS lower lobectomy in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different types of ultra-fine drainage tubes used in the surgery, the patients were divided into an experimental group (using multi-sided hole 10F ultra-fine drainage tubes with metal support) and a control group (using ordinary 12F ultra-fine drainage tubes). The clinical data of the two groups were compared. ResultsA total of 190 patients were enrolled, including 108 males and 82 females. There were 90 patients in the experimental group aged 56.60±10.14 years; and 100 patients in the control group aged 57.07±11.04 years. The incidences of postoperative lung infection and pleural effusion in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The postoperative visual analogue scale score, the need to adjust the chest drainage tube after the surgery, the need for chest puncture after the surgery, the time of postoperative chest tube removal, and the hospitalization cost were statistically different (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the length of postoperative hospital stay or the incidences of postoperative lung leakage, arrhythmia, and atelectasis complications (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with the ordinary ultra-fine drainage tubes, multi-sided hole ultra-fine drainage tubes with metal support can reduce the incidences of lung infection and pleural effusion complications after the uniportal VATS lower lobectomy, reduce the pain and economic burden, which can be applied in the uniportal VATS lower lobectomy.