Chest tube insertion

Chest tube insertion

Definition

A chest tube insertion involves the surgical placement of a hollow, flexible drainage tube into the chest.

Alternative Names

Chest drainage tube insertion; Insertion of tube into chest; Tube thoracostomy

Indications

Chest tubes are used to treat conditions that can cause the lung to collapse, such as:

• Air leaks from the lung into the chest (pneumothorax)
• Bleeding into the chest (hemothorax)
• After surgery or trauma in the chest (pneumothorax or hemothorax)
• Lung abscesses or pus in the chest (empyema).

Convalescence

You will stay in the hospital until the chest tube is removed. While the chest tube is in place, the nursing staff will carefully check for possible air leaks, breathing difficulties, and the need for additional oxygen. You'll need to breathe deeply and cough often to help re-expand the lung, assist with drainage, and prevent fluids from collecting in the lungs.

Expectations after surgery

Most people completely recover from the chest tube insertion and removal. There is only a small scar.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

• Bleeding
• Infection

Chest tube insertion

Chest tube insertion - series

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