Abstract: Objective To compare effect of single thoracic drainage tube and double thoracic drainage tube after upper pulmonary lobectomy. Methods The data of 60 patients who underwent upper pulmonary lobectomy was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into single thoracic drainage tube(A group)and double thoracic drainage tube(B group). Clinical effect in both the groups was compared. Results There were no differences in incidence rates of subcutaneous emphysema after surgery, adding catheterization after surgery, and gas and liquid aspiration by puncture after extubation between the two groups(P>0.05). The catheter-indwelling duration and postoperative hospital stay in the group A were significantly shorter than those in group B, and the postoperative pain score was significantly better than that in group B(P<0.05). Conclusion The effect of single tube is better than that of double thoracic drainage tube after upper pulmonary lobectomy, and it can relieve postoperative pain, shorten the time of indwelling tube and hospital stay.