Objective <p>This study evaluates the impact of a modified chest drainage tube on postoperative recovery and its clinical application value by comparing the drainage efficacy of the modified tube with conventional chest drainage tubes after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer.</p> Methods <p>A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 100 patients who underwent uniportal VATS radical surgery for lung cancer in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at our hospital between January 2023 and January 2024 was conducted. Of these, 50 patients received the modified chest drainage tube postoperatively (experimental group), while 50 patients received the conventional chest drainage tube (control group). Postoperative outcomes, including thoracic drainage volume, duration of chest tube placement, length of hospital stay, wound healing, pain levels, and tube reinsertion rates, were compared between the two groups.</p> Results <p>The experimental group demonstrated significantly improved outcomes in terms of chest tube placement duration, length of hospital stay, wound healing, and pain levels compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding postoperative thoracic drainage volume and tube reinsertion rates (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05).</p> Conclusion <p>The modified chest drainage tube used after uniportal VATS radical surgery for lung cancer exhibits safety and efficacy, facilitates rapid recovery, and demonstrates potential clinical value.</p>