What is the procedural name when a tube is placed in a collapsed lung?

Answer 1

Chest tube thoracostomy is done to drain fluid, blood, or air from the space around the lungs. Some diseases, such as pneumonia and cancer, can cause an excess amount of fluid or blood to build up in the space around the lungs (called a pleural effusion). Also, some severe injuries of the chest wall can cause bleeding around the lungs. Sometimes, the lung can be accidentally punctured allowing air to gather outside the lung, causing its collapse (called a pneumothorax). Chest tube thoracostomy (commonly referred to as "putting in a chest tube") 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. The tube remains in the chest until all or most of the air or fluid has drained out, usually a few days. Occasionally special medicines are given through a chest tube.