27/11/2025
A ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐บ๐ is a procedure providers use to place a chest tube.
Chest tube thoracostomy involves placing a hollow plastic tube between the ribs and into the chest to drain fluid or air from around the lungs.
The tube is often hooked up to a suction machine to help with drainage.
Conditions that Hospitals treat with a ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐บ๐ include:
โค Pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
โค Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs).
โค Empyema (pus in the pleural space).
โค Hemothorax (blood in the chest cavity).
โค Chylothorax (lymph in the chest cavity).
โค Lung infections.
The procedure is minimally invasive and typically done using a local anesthetic while the patient is awake.
๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: A small incision is made between the ribs, and a tube is carefully inserted into the pleural space using either a blunt dissection technique or a wire-guided (Seldinger) technique.
The tube is guided over the top edge of the lower rib to avoid damaging the neurovascular bundle that runs along the bottom edge.
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด: The tube is connected to a drainage system (often using suction or a water-seal mechanism) to remove the air or fluid.
It is then secured to the skin with sutures and an airtight dressing is applied.
The tube remains in place until the lung has fully re-expanded and the air or fluid has drained adequately.
Patients typically stay in the hospital during this time.
Once criteria for removal are met, the tube is taken out during a specific breathing maneuver (Valsalva) to prevent air reentry.
A follow-up chest X-ray ensures no complications have occurred after removal.
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