How do you put a chest tube in an emergency?

Secure the Tube

  1. Secure the chest tube in place with a large silk suture (number 1 or 0) Go around the chest tube several times. Cinch down to create a small waist on the chest tube. Tie many knots.
  2. A second suture should be used to close the incision, if there is additional space to avoid drainage or introduction of air.

How do you insert a hemothorax chest tube?

Usually, for pneumothorax, a straight tube is placed toward the apex. For hemothorax or pleural effusion, typically a straight tube is placed posterior and toward apex and/or a right-angled tube can be placed at the base of lung and diaphragm.

What is a Thal Quick chest tube?

Thal-Quick Chest Tube Sets and Trays. Used for percutaneous introduction of a chest tube for pleural fluid drainage. This product line is serviced by the following clinical division(s): Critical Care ยป

How is a chest tube inserted?

The chest tube is inserted through a 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) cut in your skin between your ribs. Then it is guided to the correct spot. The tube is connected to a special canister. Suction is often used to help it drain.

How do you place a trauma chest tube?

Clamp the chest tube on the outside end. Insert the chest tube, with another clamp grasping the tip, through the tract and direct it inferoposteriorly for effusions, or apically for pneumothorax, until all of the tube’s holes are inside the chest wall.

Where do you anchor a chest tube?

Chest drains should be secured with 1/0 silk suture anchored to the skin and the drain with a suitable non slip knot technique. This should prevent excessive travel of the drain in and out of the chest wall. The skin incision can be closed each side of the chest tube usually with one 2/0 silk suture each side.

Why is clamping a chest tube contraindicated?

As a rule, avoid clamping a chest tube. Clamping prevents the escape of air or fluid, increasing the risk of tension pneumothorax.

Where do you insert a chest tube for a pneumothorax?

If pneumothorax is under tension or reaccumulates following needle aspiration, the insertion of a chest tube (CT) will be necessary. Appropriate insertion sites include the fourth, fifth or sixth intercostal spaces in the anterior axillary line. The nipple is a landmark for the fourth intercostal space.

Where do you clamp a chest tube?

If there is fluid in the pleural space, the chest tube is inserted at the fourth to fifth intercostal space, at the mid-axillary line. A chest tube may also be inserted to drain the pericardial sac after open heart surgery, and may be placed directly under the sternum (Perry et al., 2014).

What anesthesia is used for the insertion of the chest tube?

Chest tubes are inserted to drain blood, fluid, or air and allow full expansion of the lungs. The tube is placed in the pleural space. The area where the tube will be inserted is numbed (local anesthesia). The patient may also be sedated.

What are some possible complications from chest tube insertion?

In general, chest tube complications are categorized as insertional, positional or infective. More specifically, pain, vascular injury, improper positioning of the tube, inadvertent tube removal, postremoval complications, longer hospital stays, empyema and pneumonia have been reported in up to 30% of cases.